Chennai: The ongoing construction of a metro water tank near Marvel Riverview County in Manapakkam, which was set in motion in March this year, is causing a great deal of inconvenience to residents. “When the foundation stone was laid, officials told us that they would lay 24 pillars that would support an overhead tank. But within four weeks, they started digging a well up to 16 to 18 feet and this set off the whole problem,” said V.Saraswathi, a resident.
She added that construction debris combined with the recent rains had made the whole place slushy, and her 77-year-old husband M.Venugopalan slipped and fractured his spinal cord.
The place of construction is the pathway to seven streets with about 120 houses and residents of First Cross Road complained of heavy noise. They said that detonators and other equipment which run throughout the day, do not let them live in peace. Some said that this space has encroached some space in the park in the area. Dust, noise pollution and movement of construction vehicles have made their day-to-day lives a nightmare.
Suggesting an alternative, V. Nagarajan said, “Adjoining the construction site are two empty plots. Instead of entering into the residential area, they can approach the plot owners and start working there.” When the residents approached the officials, they said that if rains do not disrupt the work, construction of the well would be completed in five months, after which they would start working on the pillars and overhead tank. Completion of the work might take a couple of years.
Agitated residents are planning to get a stay order.
