Repairs on the two buildings in Broadway that developed cracks due to Metro Rail work nearby are yet to be completed.
Chennai Metro Rail authorities had promised to complete repairs within a week on STS Complex, a four-storey building in Broadway that developed cracks on October 11 when a tunnel boring machine (TBM) — used to drill earth, create a tunnel and connect underground stations — excavated underneath the building.
“We are on the job and will complete the repairs next week. The cracks have been filled and repaired. We will ensure the building is back in good condition,” said an official of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).
Mohammed Yousuf, who constructed the building in 1999, said that a lot of the repairs were over but some work in the basement remained. “There is mild ground water seepage due to the crack. But work on the compound wall and flooring is complete,” he said.
Another building that has developed cracks because of Metro Rail construction and is awaiting completion of repairs is the152-year-old heritage structure, CSI Tamil Wesley Church. It developed cracks late in July and has not been entirely restored as yet.
While CMRL says it is ready to resume work, church authorities say they have stopped the repair work as they are unhappy with the methodology used. “IIT experts examined our structure and gave their recommendations to CMRL which they want to carry out,” a member of the church said.
“But our engineers are unhappy with the methods recommended by IIT. We plan to meet the managing director of CMRL next week and work out a solution,” he said.
Chennai Metro Rail, built a cost of Rs. 14,600 crore has two corridors — one running from Washermanpet to the airport and the other from Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount.
The underground network will have 19 stations. Eleven TBMs are employed at various sites across the city to connect these stations. Of the 11, two TBMs are involved in tunnelling from Mannady to Madras High Court.
