When Dravidian media were busy celebrating Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s visit to his Kolathur constituency—focusing on his cheerful reaction to a cringeworthy welcome dance performed by party cadres and joined by HR&CE Minister Sekar Babu, another significant and tragic event on the same day, 26 May 2025, received little attention.
Vyasarpadi Fire Accident
In Sathyamoorthy Nagar, Vyasarpadi, a major fire broke out, destroying over 20 makeshift huts. Though all residents managed to escape to safety, they lost nearly all their belongings and important life-line documents in the blaze. Despite their initial efforts to extinguish the fire, they were unsuccessful and subsequently alerted the police and the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services.
"Vyasarpadi fire tragedy: 15+ houses completely burned, 50+ damaged. As of 5 PM, residents are still barred from visiting their damaged homes. #ChennaiFire #Vyasarpadi"#Northchennai pic.twitter.com/VqQMGMCOZM
— ல.மோ. ஜெய்கணேஷ் (@jai_lm) May 26, 2025
According to police sources, the fire is believed to have been caused by a leak from an LPG cylinder in one of the huts. The flames spread rapidly, as most of the huts were constructed with thatched roofs and asbestos sheet walls, which are highly flammable. Ten fire engines from Tondiarpet, Vyasarpadi, Vepery, and Kolathur fire stations responded to the emergency and battled the fire for over two hours before bringing it under control.
Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar stated that the Greater Chennai Corporation has arranged temporary shelter, food, and drinking water for those affected by the incident.
Demolition And Resident Evacuation in Anakaputhur
In Anakaputhur, a major eviction and demolition operation is currently underway, impacting neighborhoods such as Quaid-E-Millath Nagar and Stalin Nagar. As part of a large-scale initiative led by the Tambaram Corporation, approximately 600 concrete homes are being demolished. This action is being carried out in connection with flood mitigation efforts, following the distribution of relocation tokens to affected residents for newly constructed housing.
According to a senior official from the Tambaram Corporation, a total of 593 unauthorized homes built along the Adyar River have been marked for removal. The demolition is primarily focused in Chamundeswari Nagar, including areas such as Kattabomman Street and Nethaji Nagar. The operation is being closely monitored by police forces and revenue department officials, with Corporation Commissioner S. Balachander overseeing the process at key locations like the Anakaputhur bus stand to ensure public safety.
Now in its third day, the clearance work in Anakaputhur has already resulted in the dismantling of more than 300 structures in the Quaid-E-Millath Nagar and Stalin Nagar areas. This follows similar demolition activities in Shanthi Nagar and Moogambi Nagar the previous week, where another 300 homes were taken down.
The government maintains that these actions are in line with court rulings and necessary due to the classification of the homes as riverbank encroachments. To accommodate displaced families, new homes have been built in Keerapakkam and Thailavaram. Out of 10,347 identified illegal homes along the Adyar River, officials report that 4,575 have already been removed.
Plans for resettlement also include locations like Perumbakkam and Navalur. In the current phase, around 600 houses have been listed for demolition, with 20 families relocating after receiving shifting tokens earlier this week. Officials estimate the demolition of these structures in Anakaputhur will conclude within two weeks.
However, many residents are distressed and confused, claiming they have lived in the area for several decades—some for over 50 years. Several residents expressed frustration, stating they were promised land ownership documents (pattas) shortly before the demolition notices were issued. This contradiction has left them questioning the legitimacy of the encroachment claims, particularly since the affected areas include proper roads and have long had government-provided electricity connections, including separate meters.
Despite the provision of new homes, many families report challenges. One resident claimed that the new housing lacks basic facilities, stating it is not suitable for living. The demolitions have also had broader impacts—disrupting livelihoods and separating tight-knit communities. Families are now scattered, with some being relocated far from their original homes, disrupting their children’s education and daily life.
One of the Muslim women residents, grieving after the demolition of her home, said, “This is unjust — that’s all I can say. What else is there to say? Didn’t they know we’ve been living here for 50 years? If someone has been here for more than 10 years, they’re supposed to be given a patta (land deed). When we were here for 40 years, they didn’t realize it while giving us water and electricity connections? They didn’t realize it while collecting taxes from us? Now how can they come and remove us? Every time they come asking for votes, they promise pattas and win by getting our votes again and again. Not a single politician has come, not a single media outlet has shown up. They knew it was an unjust, that’s why they kept the media out. Now after everything’s been destroyed to the ground, the media coming? What’s the use now?”
Another Muslim woman expressed her agony saying, “The Chief Minister has said give them a new place before removing them, don’t cause them any hardship. What hardship could be greater than this, sir? Our grandparents, served in the military right here in Chennai, in this same Mount area, in this same Anakaputhur, very nearby. They worked in the army, held high positions, earned everything with dignity. And today, do you know where I am? Care of platform. Do you know my address? Care of platform. After everyone left and this becomes a burial ground, who will come and live here in this park happily? I am watching, I will see. This was my husband’s investment — a lifetime investment. He built it with his sweat, standing and struggling for every brick, every step with pain. Today, he’s standing outside in sorrow. Whatever you give us now can never replace what we’ve lost, sir. This message should reach the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. How many towns like this have you destroy and cleared? All the curses from this will come back as consequences it will show, and it will reflect. We kept waiting, ‘Will this party come?’ We cast our votes expecting this ruling government to come to power. We waited day after day, hoping they would come. And the moment they took office, this is the wonderful reward we received. Thank you very much, sir.”
(With inputs from The Hindu)
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