CHENNAI: The balcony collapse in 85th Block in Manali New Town on Thursday killing a 48-year-old woman, was not the first tragedy in the colony. Four years ago, the terrace of one of the blocks caved in, killing a woman. Over a hundred families were reportedly residing in the TNHB apartment colony, consisting of seven blocks. Kathirvel, a resident, told Express on Friday that the tender for construction of this building was taken for 30 years, however the building is now 37 years old. Petitions to the government for maintenance work have been made but no action has been taken. “Officials are not willing to do anything to help us because of the age of the building. Whenever we ask them to help us, they say move out,” says Kathirvel. Raja, a resident in the colony for 10 years, says, “The sunshades and balconies are a problem. Even people who come to install cable TV are afraid of climbing up.”Most of the residents are daily-wage labourers who stay here as the rent is low. In fact, many of the families were initially living in Triplicane, but moved here during the construction of the MRTS. Says Raja, “85 per cent of the people who live here do not own the houses, but pay rent on a monthly basis. A house on the ground floor is rented out at `800, and the price decreases for the higher floors.” The victim, M Nayagam alias Kattammal, lived on the ground floor and worked as a domestic help.Residents say the official response to their earlier petitions for maintenance work was to vacate the place as the structure needed to be demolished. No alternative solution was given to the residents.The Deputy Commissioner and Councillor who visited the colony soon after Thursday’s tragedy also said the same thing, but did say that alternate arrangements would be made for the residents. Residents said that the West Mambalam TNHB complex alone is frequented by officials who check on maintenance and repairs.
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