Traders write to CM for CBI probe into alignment of Chennai Metro phase 2

Traders in Purasawalkam and Vepery have urged Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to order a CBI probe into the Chennai Metro phase two alleging that the alignment was changed to benefit big traders.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Purasawalkam Vepery Merchants Association said that the Metro rail had announced the construction of the Doveton station on the Madravaram-Siruseri corridor at the Purasawalkam tank junction last year.

The traders said that two years ago the CMRL had announced the Madhavaram-Siruseri corridor would pass via Perambur, Ayanavaram, Otteri, Podikadai, Bricklin Road, Millers Road and KMC. “Now they have changed the alignment to construct the Doveton station at the 70-year-old Purasawalkam market. They have released the sketch of the station in this regard. Due to the changein the alignment, the livelihood of over 100 small traders will be affected,” they said.

The traders alleged that there has been a joint conspiracy by the Metro and the big traders. “Hence, we seek a CBI probe into the issue,” they said.

The association president M Naseer Mohamed said that there was no clarity on the land acquisition by the Metro for the station. “We have been told that they are planning to construct the station in the Purasawalkam market. All the small traders are doing their business in the rented shops for several years. If the Metro suddenly acquired the land for the project, the livelihood of the traders would be severely affected as they will no longer be able to continue their businesses,” he told DT Next. He urged the Metro to come out clearly on the extent of land acquisition and provide compensation for the affected traders along with the land owners.

A Metro rail official denied the traders charge of conspiracy over the alignment of the Doveton station. “There is no change in the alignment of the station. Due compensation would be paid to the affected landowners,” the official said.