Built to rehabilitate tsunami-affected, Korraikuppam houses find no takers 10 years on

Thousands of fishermen in Pulicat near Ponneri lost their livelihood when the tsunami struck in 2004, with at least 15 people even losing their lives. As part of the rehabilitation of the victims of the natural disaster, the State government with help from NGOs built a total of 3336 homes for the affected families in Tiruvallur district alone under the tsunami victims’ rehabilitation project.

For the benefit of fishermen from Pulicat area, the State government identified land in the Korraikuppam village and built 177 homes in the village at a total cost of Rs. 5.76 crore. Each family were also given three cents of land and modern houses were built at a cost of Rs. 3.25 lakh each. These houses were also provided with water, drainage, electricity and road facilities by 2009.

However, the Pulicat fishermen refused to move to the new homes and continued to live by the shore, leaving these homes vacant and unattended.

The fishermen claim that they did not move in to the new buildings as they found it difficult to relocate to a village that was 15 kilometres away from the shore. “Right now, we live just 10 metres away from the sea and can go and fish whenever we want. If we move to the village 15 kilometres away, our livelihood will be affected severely and we would not be able to carry on our traditional trade that is fishing,” said Selvam, a fisherman from Pulicat.

With the fishermen refusing to move to their new homes in Korraikuppam, the new homes built for them over time turned into a hub for anti-social elements who have now vandalised the properties and have removed everything possible off the buildings, including the doors, windows and even the window grills. Ten years on, the colony resembles a ghost town with overgrown bushes and run-down homes.

“It’s not just the abuse, but the colony known as Tsunami colony is now considered an unsafe place as during night-time, men go there in groups to consume alcohol, besides engaging themselves in illegal activities,” says a resident of Korraikuppam on condition of anonymity.

Locals in the village, while claiming that many people are left homeless in the district, rue that it is a tragedy that these buildings meant for rehabilitating victims are not being used. They also claim to have taken up the issue with local politicians and asked the properties to be handed over to the needy.

When contacted, Ponneri Revenue Divisional Officer Nanadha Kumar denied any knowledge of the situation. “We will certainly look into the matter and highlight it to the State government. After careful study, we will do what can be done to put the quarters to best use,” he said.