Dhobi ghat constructed under Smart cities Mission at Anna Nagar in Thoothukudi has been witnessing low occupancy, owing to the disagreements between the laundry workers and Corporation over the allocation of space.

The dhobi ghat, constructed at a cost of approximately ₹7.32 crore, comprises bore-well water connection, enhanced facilities for washing, along with 20 shops. The disagreement stemmed from the allocation of shops, with laundry workers demanding allotment without tender process.

P. Sanmugasundaram, president, Thoothukudi District Laundry Labourers Association, highlighted that earlier over 200 workers were engaged in laundry work at the same location, which has now reduced to miniscule size.

He added that after the construction of dhobi ghat under smart cities mission, the Corporation had decided to lease the shops on a tender basis, which was opposed by many members from the association.

Mr. Sanmugasundaram stressed that shops should not be allocated on a tender basis, adding laundry workers will not come to the dhobi ghat travelling 6 to 8 kilometres only for washing.

Another major reason for the low occupancy is the shift among educated youngsters towards skilled and salaried jobs rather than taking laundry work as a livelihood. In addition, increasing use of washing machines and dryers at households has reduced the demand for traditional laundry workers.

Balamurugan, a ironing worker from Millerpuram said that the Corporation fixed the rent for the shops at ₹8,000, along with a substantial advance amount. He noted that many workers could not afford this. “A rent between ₹2,000 to ₹2,500 would be more suitable for the laundry workers,” he said.

As livelihood opportunities for laundry workers are steadily declining due to washing machines, many workers have shifted to ironing services alone.

Speaking on this, Thoothukudi Corporation Mayor Jegan Periyasamy said that the rent for the shops were reduced to ₹4,000 and could not be lowered further. He added that, as per the Smart Cities Mission, project norms, these rents were collected for the maintenance of facilities.

He noted that the tender process was open to all and the shops cannot be allotted without proper leasing and tender process, adding that around 10 shops have already been allotted.