“We are slowly losing our livelihood” residents of Korukkupet

 

“We are slowly losing our livelihood” residents of Korukkupet

- Nigamanth.P

The residents of Korukkupet, fear that their houses will be demolished because of new corporate buildings coming up in their area. Korukkupet, a place near Basin bridge is slowly coming under the radar of businessmen as the place have seen a rise of huge buildings in the past few months.

           This is a place consisting of a majority of old buildings that are at least two or three decades old. But recently there have been a rise in new buildings in the area. For example, Ambedkar Nagar inside Korukkupet has recently seen a new convention centre. This made the people of that area suspicious that their place might as well be demolished and be built as another building of such sort.

             “I hear stories about such demolitions in various parts of the city and I would feel sad for the people who are affected. But thinking about our future in my area, I have an insecurity that I would also encounter such a situation very soon. Recently they demolished some shops and houses at Chintadripet. The places are different but the feeling is mutual. If the government allows such corporates to build buildings wherever they want, what will people like us do. We are not even given proper alternate solution and are left stranded in the middle” says Ethiraj, who belongs to the area.

             It is to be noted that the dominance of Marwadis in north Chennai is evident. They own many businesses and are becoming dominant when compared to the native people. The people in Korukkupet also believe that this could be a reason for their lost livelihood. They also say that people who were once in Sowcarpet have migrated here and are making this, their place of dwelling.

                “I’m sure that the convention centre would be expanded, slowly but surely. It is us who are going to suffer in this issue. We don’t mind if our place is developed or not but if our safety is not guaranteed, how are we supposed to co operate with the concern officials. This new convention center is built in front of the old housing board” says Murugan, who is also a resident of that place.

             People of Ambedkar Nagar have nothing to hold on if they are forced to evacuate the place if asked to and are believing that such a situation won’t arise in the near future.