More than 500 residents of Perumbakkam, Nookampalayam and Semmanchery protested in front of a building being constructed for a Tasmac shop on Sunday.
The protesters said that the shop would pose a threat to people living along the road from Perumbakkam to Semmanchery.
One of the protesters, Shoba V. Srikanth, said they had conveyed their objections clearly, with reasons, to the District Collector and Tasmac officials. “Despite our objection, the Tasmac is going ahead with the opening of the shop,” she said.
In their letter, residents pointed out that the proposed shop was located less than 100 metres the from the Panchayat Middle School. There are two places of worship — the 200-year-old Sri Vaidheeswarar temple and a church — less than 100 metres from the shop too. Another resident pointed out that the building was coming up within a 100-m radius from the protected ASI zone (Perumbakkam Hills), which is against norms.
Women residents said lot of townships and apartment complexes had been established in the area, and over 20,000 families were living peacefully in Nookampalayam, Semmanchery and Perumbakkam. The shop would pose a threat to the residents.
Police rushed to the spot and pacified the protesters. The Revenue Divisional Officer would decide on the new shop, the police said.
