Villivakkam housing board residents request Metro Rail to acquire land elsewhere
CHENNAI: Residents of Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) located on MTH Road, Villivakkam, have requested the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to look for another space for acquiring land for the underground station in the area.
Members of the Villivakkam TNHB Vilvam Tower residents’ welfare association met CMRL officials and submitted a letter requesting the same.
CMRL has signed a contract with Tata Projects to construct 5 underground Metro stations at Kolathur Junction, Srinivasa Nagar, Villivakkam, Villivakkam Bus Terminus and Nadhamuni with entry/exit points, ventilation shafts, plumbing, earth mat, architectural finishes and signages among others.
The Nadhamuni Metro station is located at the MTH road, closer to the TNHB flats where 324 families live. As CMRL had decided to acquire the land at exactly at the entrance of the TNHB flats, residents have been in a state of panic.
“With more than 300 families residing here, there’s already a dearth of space for parking and other facilities. CMRL has informed that it would acquire 131 square metre land permanently, and an additional 92 sq m on a temporary basis. Moreover, an additional 207 sq m land will also be acquired permanently,” said a member of the association. “This would affect the stability of the building. Hence, we request CMRL to consider acquiring land in other nearby areas.”
The association has proposed to acquire land near SIDCO Nagar bus stop or at the western side of Madras Tiruvallur High Road. They also allege that they might have to file a petition at the court if the requests were not considered.