Nearly 50 staff members of Pachaiyappa's College observed a hunger strike here on Saturday against the proposed acquisition of 3.5 acres within the campus for the Chennai Metro Rail project.
S. Murugesan, a botany professor and one of the protesters, alleged that the acquisition would affect the quality of life of students. “The main entrance is planned to be taken over. Hundreds of trees will be cut during the construction. Despite initial promises about the acquisition being temporary, we recently got orders from the Directorate of Collegiate Education to permanently hand over the land. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Alternative entrance to hospital
At the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital on the same road, an alternative route has been planned to enter the premises as the main entrance will soon be taken over by the Metro Rail project. “The alternative way to enter the premises will now go past the boy's hostel, the mortuary and will lead to the labour ward,” said Dean S.Geeta Lakshmi.
With space on and near the median to be utilised for the project, vehicles using the stretch would be pushed to the corners, just a few metres from the hospital building. Therefore, the hospital authorities have requested the Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. to instal a barricade lining the building so that privacy of the hospital is maintained.
As some of the patients have expressed concern about the impact of the drilling work, the hospital has written to the CMRL about safety issues, Medical Superintendent of the hospital R. Sukumar said.
A police station, post office, an outpatient counter, an inpatient registration wing and waiting rooms for staff have already been demolished in the KMC for the Metro Rail work.
“However, we have ensured the new block that has started functioning on the premises has a casualty and outpatient wing all under one roof so people do not have to cross over to access services at the college,” said Mr.Sukumar. Sub-Inspector of Police M.Parasuraman said previously the public could access the police station as it was near the casualty block. “As many burn victims come here, we are required to be available at all times. Now, when the ambulance comes in, we have to walk across and make enquiries.”
