Youth dies after being hit by falling slab at TNUHDB building in Pattinapakkam, protests ensue

CHENNAI: A 23-year-old man died after a small portion of a sunshade fell on him from the third floor of a building quarter developed by the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board at Pattinapakkam.

Syed Ghulam (23) worked as an electrician with a private firm. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday night when he returned home and parked his bike near the quarters, located close to the Pattinappakkam bus depot. He suffered severe injuries to his head and was rushed to Royapettah GH, where he was declared dead on arrival. Tension escalated soon as residents engaged in a roadblock around 9 am near the Pattinapakkam signal on Thursday morning. Around 200 protesters, including locals, TMMK workers, CPM cadre and fishermen, demanded a compensation of Rs 40 lakh for Syed’s family and the removal of old structures at the TNUHDB premises in Loop Road. They also demanded new buildings to ensure their safety.

The protesters stalled the traffic for over two and a half hours on the stretch, causing a ripple effect on all roads connecting Pattinappakkam. Traffic police had to divert vehicles headed from Anna Square to Adyar through Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, and the cars headed from Adyar towards Parrys Corner were diverted at Greenways Salai and Mandaveli Road. The protest was suspended around 11.30 am after the state government announced a Rs 5 lakh solatium to the bereaved family.