Fissures of unrest have developed between residents and the builder of a mall in Cambridge Layout.
Heavy-duty construction work on the Suraj Mall has caused considerable damage to the structure of residential houses around it.
Residents of the area are up in arms against the company for using minor explosives for construction purposes alleging that the walls of houses nearby have developed cracks.
Even though the company has agreed to renovate the affected houses, the residents allege that it is being done half-heartedly.
Parvathi K., a homemaker said: “The problem started in January when the company used minor explosives to break the rocks at the site. They would start the construction from 8 a.m. and go on till 7 p.m. We could feel the minor quakes. We later found cracks on the walls and broken floor tiles. They [construction company] said they would come and do the necessary repairs, but only patchwork repairs have been carried out. I keep calling them to complete the work that is left, but all I get from them is a bunch of excuses.”
Ajith Benedict, another resident, said the company should have taken the permission of residents before going through the whole process.
He also added that the company promised several maintenance works but ended up doing little.
Background
The Suraj Group announced its new lifestyle and entertainment venture a few years ago, but the construction has been going on at a snail’s pace due to “internal issues”, according to a representative of the company.
On the other hand, K. Gowtham Kumar, councillor of Jogupalya ward, said: “The construction of Suraj Mall came to a halt due to the agitation by the residents. The problem was solved when the group owned up responsibility and promised to repair the damage to the houses.”
