Coimbatore demolishes 13 illegally built houses on road

The Coimbatore Corporation has started demolishing homes that were built illegally on Kannapiran Mills Road. On Monday, officials took down 13 houses in ward 50. Residents of the remaining houses have asked for more time to move out until the end of April, citing their children's exams. For about 25 years, 30 families had encroached upon nearly 200 meters of the road. This illegal construction reduced the width of the road from 40 feet to just 25 feet. The road is important for people traveling from areas like Masakalipalaym and Annamalainagar, as it connects to Sowripalayam Road and Trichy Road. Commuters often use this route to avoid traffic during busy times. In 2023, the corporation issued eviction notices to those who built on the road. Some families left their homes, but others remained. Recently, the corporation, under Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabhakaran, issued more eviction notices for nine houses after inspecting the area. Officials stated that families who received land deeds (pattas) for their plots have left their homes. Two more families are expected to receive their deeds soon. Additionally, two families are not happy with their assigned plots, and alternatives are being arranged. The plan is to complete these processes by April, restoring the road to its full width.