Panic spreads as CMRL slaps notices on 800 home, shop owners

Senior CMRL officials who confirmed the issuance of notices told DTNext that the land donors would have to resolve their grievances within 30 days with concerned RDOs (Revenue Divisional Officers) who would hold public consultations in connection with the land acquisition. “The notices were issued individually at different times. Hence, consultations would be held separately by the RDOs. Land owners will have to appear for the consultation to air their grievances within the stipulated 30 days from the date of receipt of the notice,” a CMRL officer said.

In Purasawalkkam where traders had downed shutters on Tuesday in protest of the alignment, CMRL officials said only 177 shops and two flats were required for constructing Doveton and Purasai High Road Metro stations.Conversely, S Nagabooshanam, president of Purasai Merchants Association claimed that the old alignment cutting through government land via Otteri was changed in October 2017 and it would affect over 200 shops.

Disputing trader’s claims, CMRL officials said they were only following the alignment in the detailed project report and any change in the alignment would affect the “ground level position” and not serve the purpose of easing traffic congestion. The officials also added that they would compensate land donors (guideline or market value) as per Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013. Initially, land would be acquired for corridors III, IV and V, which would comprise 116 stations spread across 107.55km, including the 88 underground stations spread.