Coimbatore conservancy workers protest housing allocation delays

In Coimbatore, a group of conservancy workers protested on Tuesday near the Ukkadam fish market. They were unhappy with the local government for not giving them housing units that were promised before their eviction. About 500 families from CMC Colony were moved in 2019 to Pullukadu to make way for a new flyover. They were told they would receive new homes within two years on land near the fish market. A year ago, the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) built 222 housing units near the market. However, residents say they have not been given access to these homes. During the protest, workers entered the housing complex and demanded immediate allocation of the units. Police arrived at the scene and spoke with the protesters. One resident described living conditions in Pullukadu as poor, with problems like flooding and inadequate facilities. They expressed their frustration, saying the temporary homes are unsuitable for long-term living. A TNUHDB official responded by stating that the 222 tenements will be assigned soon through a lottery process led by the revenue divisional officer.