Chennai: Underground metro rattles residents

CHENNAI: On Friday, several Chennaiites took joy ride on the metro rail celebrating the extension of metro train from Nehru Park to Chennai Central, but there were about 20 families fighting tears with the thought that they would witness more vibrations and cracks in their buildings due to extended train frequencies Homemaker Shyamala Daniel, who was clearing dust and small debris falling on her pregnant daughter, poured her grievance when DC revisited Thiru Vi Ka Colony at Shenoy Nagar, that is now in shambles, where building owners are vacating their homes fearing a roof collapse any time.

“Every morning, we wake up to wider cracks and seepage. Since the beginning of construction in 2013, cosmetic repair work has been done thrice, last being in November 2017. Yet, the problem is recurrent and it gets worse each time,” said Shyamala Daniel.

She further added that it has not only wrecked the walls, but led to pipe breakage, short circuits and uneven floors. “Though the authorities claim that the trains do not run after 11 pm, we feel the vibrations and chipping of walls till 1 in the night. All the electronic appliances including air conditioners and televisions get damaged at least once in three months.” 

Also, fire erupted in one of the houses last month when the water from a pipe allegedly broken due to metro rail work, seeped into refrigerator and ignited sparks. Residents have kept a few rooms locked up.

 

“They have disowned the repair and rehabilitation work for the damaged buildings along the underground lines, which they initially promised during the tunnel boring works. The contractors who took the tunnel works are now missing and the Chennai metro rail is elusive,” complained another resident Rajesh Arthur.

Similar cracks occurred during metro construction at Choolaimedu, Kilpauk, Washermenpet, Egmore and Chintadripet. Residents complained that they are made to run from pillar to post, each time a contractor changes to get the repair work done. They claim to have given up on authorities after December due to poor response.

With no resale value due to the problem and nowhere else to go, Thiru Vi Ka colony residents are forced to face the problem each day, more worse each time.
When contacted, an official from the CMRL, said the cracks were not because of vibrations due to metro rail, but due to poor foundation.