Sanitation workers resist relocation without alternative location

Sanitation workers in Thiruppuvanam have voiced their opposition to being ordered to vacate their homes without being provided with alternative accommodation.

In the Thiruppuvanam area of Sivaganga district, 30 families of sanitation workers reside along the Brahmanur canal near West Car Street.

A year ago, when water was released into the canal, a retaining wall collapsed, causing damage to the nearby houses of these workers.

Following this, the workers were temporarily housed elsewhere for a few weeks. However, they eventually moved back to the same area near the canal. While steps were initially taken to provide them with land pattas (titles) in the Maruthamaram area, that plan was later abandoned.

In the meantime, a few months ago, the damaged portion of the canal was temporarily blocked with sandbags to allow water flow. Farmers protested the lack of permanent repairs and demanded immediate restoration of the canal.

Public Works Department (Water Resources) officials informed the town panchayat administration that the canal could only be repaired if the sanitation workers vacated their homes.

Subsequently, revenue officials took steps to allot land near Theli village. However, the residents of Theli village reportedly opposed the relocation.

Due to this local opposition, the land allotment could not be finalised, officials added.

Despite this, town panchayat officials continued to pressure the sanitation workers to vacate their current dwellings near the canal. As the workers resisted the move, stating they could not leave without being given a confirmed alternative location, they submitted a formal petition regarding this issue to the Sivaganga District Collector K. Porkodi.