Free land for the displaced families along Palar river have been identified in Nandiyalam village near Melvisharam town in Ranipet by the district administration on Saturday.
The move comes more than a year after the demolition of asbestos roofed houses in Sadik Basha Nagar and MGR Nagar that come under Melvisharam municipality. The houses, which were demolished last June, were built over two decades ago along Palar river as most of the families belong to washermen community.
The drive was aimed at restoring the original width of the river to carry excess rainwater during monsoon. It also helps to prevent inundation in urban areas like Melvisharam and Arcot towns. “The identified land belongs to the State government. Once the open land is levelled, a detailed survey will be done to mark individual plots for the beneficiaries before giving free pattas to them,” K. Venketasan, Tasildar (Walajah taluk), told The Hindu.
