The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) disconnected power supply to 96 houses at Poosaripalayam, on the banks of Selvampathy lake, on Monday.
An 80-member team consisting of six Tangedco engineers, Coimbatore corporation officials and police officers carried out the drive. The engineers removed electric metres, switch boxes and lines from the illegal houses.
Inmates of as many as 360 houses were served eviction notices after the Madras high court ordered to remove all encroachments along water bodies to carry out projects under the Smart Cities Mission.
Authorities had planned to cut power to the houses on December 24. But MLA P R G Arun Kumar requested them to postpone the drive.
On Monday, when the residents got ready to protest, police and Tangedco officials pacified them. “The slum clearance board had issued eviction notices and gave them alternate housing two years ago,” corporation’s town planning officer in charge of encroachment removal T Ravichandran said.
While some residents made frantic calls to local politicians and the MLA, the officials managed to disconnect power.
Power connection was given to the illegal structures decades ago after obtaining no-objection certificate from TNEB. “We don’t mind being shifted to somewhere within 5km, like Veerakeralam or Selvapuram. If we have to move to the new accommodations, our children will be affected as they will have to travel a long distance to reach schools and colleges,” said Kumaravel, a resident.
