TUTICORIN: Even two years after the tsunami struck the Tuticorin coast, 352 permanent shelters promised for the affected families are yet to be completed.

And land identification is yet to be completed for another set of 225 houses, as a result of a standoff between two government bodies.

Last year, the district administration took up the construction of 781 houses, with the assistance of three non-governmental organisations. Of these, 30 were already completed at Tharuvaikulam, 31 at Keezha Vyappar, 75 at South Vembar, 23 at Veerapandianpattinam, 81 at Kulasekarapattinam, 45 at Periyathazhai, 72 at Tiruchendur and 70 at Kayalpattinam.

Delay due to technical reasons

"The delay in the construction of the remaining 352 dwelling units is due to certain technical problems, and we expect them to be completed by January 31, 2007," said District Collector R. Palaniyandi.

This apart, the district administration is yet to finalise a site for construction of permanent houses for another 225 families accommodated in temporary shelters at Mullakadu on a piece of land owned by the Tuticorin Port Trust.

According to Mr. Palaniyandi, the Port Trust had refused permission to construct permanent houses at the same spot where the temporary shelters had been erected.

"We chose the same site for the construction of permanent houses because there was no poromboke or private lands available in the vicinity," the Collector said. Though the district administration tried to persuade port officials to part with the land for a social cause, the latter did not oblige, he added. "We are now looking for alternative sites to construct the houses at the earliest."

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