Scavenging for fortune in debris of unfortunate homes

Ragpickers and labourers are making the most of the ongoing demolition drive on the Banaswadi lake bed.

They are taking away whatever they can lay their hands on from among the debris of buildings that have been brought down.

The ragpickers, including children younger than 10 years, are making away with iron rods, copper wires and other materials from the skeletons of what were once residential structures.

Perhaps, this is the time for them to make a few hundreds of rupees by selling off the booty at the scrap shops. The police, officials and onlookers are trying their best to shoo them all away, but in vain.

Kumar Vel, a resident, said, “I have been observing that as soon as the structures were brought down, people throng the place just to collect the iron rods and other materials. The authorities concerned had asked the house or building owners to collect the building materials from among the debris after the demolition.

But the owners - who were in a state of shock following demolition of their properties - left the materials behind. This was indeed a blessing in disguise for people who are taking them away for sale”.

 A police official who was at the spot on Wednesday when the demolition drive was being carried out said, “We are trying to chase them away. Yet, they are coming back. They are aware that these materials, when sold to scrap dealers, will fetch them money. But we are more worried that they may be buried under the debris as they try to get in while the demolition is happening”.

Balaji R, another resident, said, “After 10 pm, people are seen scampering for iron rods and other materials. They are not aware of the dangers as anything may fall on them, resulting in death.The police are trying their best to keep such people at bay, but they return. It is a huge area and it is difficult for the police to keep a constant check”.