CHENNAI: Officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) on Wednesday met Madhavaram residents, following protest against the realignment of the Metro line on Tuesday afternoon.

The residents questioned the need for realignment when the vacant lands were acquired and compensation were paid off. But, due to this abrupt realignment, residents claim that 50 houses will have direct impact as the tunnel is set to pass underneath the houses from Medimix company passing through Palaniappa Nagar and KKR Gardens.

Additionally, about 300 houses in the surrounding areas are likely to face indirect impact, and on overall affecting more than 1,000 individuals, allege Madhavaram residents to DT Next.

Furthermore, in a letter to CMRL, the residents noted, “Due to some external pressure, CMRL has decided on realignment and dropped the proposed Thapalpetti station as well.”

“As stated by a CMRL official, if curvature was an issue, why was the realignment planned from the initial line, which had negligible turns. As the initial alignment had minimum curvature, CMRL should clarify under what pressure they planned for realignment in residential areas,” added the letter.

It is important to note that during the launch of the tunnel boring operation recently, Chief Minister MK Stalin was also shown the old alignment with Thapalpetti station.

“We stressed the alignment to go through vacant lands and not residential colonies and as per original plan for which they have worked for years. Officials paid attention to our concerns and we hope for a resolution soon,” said a Palaniappa Nagar resident.

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