The Chennai Metro Rail Limited has begun issuing notices to property owners in some localities asking them to seal borewells and open wells. This direction comes ahead of the preparation for the tunnelling work, which is set to begin next year.
Tunnel boring of 6.6 metre diameter twin tunnels are slated to be taken up from March 2012, a release from the CMRL said.
“In a few locations where the Metro alignment goes beneath residential areas, it is necessary to close borewells and open wells within a restricted zone of 16.5 metre on both sides from the centre of the alignment for tunnelling,” CMRL Chief General Manager (Public Relations) S.Krishnamoorthy said.
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The release said alternate borewells would be provided. In case the owner prefers not to have an alternate borewell, a compensation of Rs.1 lakh has been promised.
Closure of borewells would be carried out only after making alternative water supply arrangements to affected houses, the release said. “Tunnelling will not lead to any environmental problems, nor have any impact on groundwater in the locality. The CMRL will take precautionary measures to ensure structural stability of the buildings,” Mr. Krishnamoorthy said.
The underground Metro corridors would be constructed at a depth of nine metre beneath the ground. Even residences that fall directly on top of the alignment would not experience any noise impact.
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The Chennai Metro Rail project has two corridors – Washermenpet to Airport and Chennai Central to St.Thomas Mount. A portion of the Metro alignment on Corridor-I, between Washermenpet – Saidapet ramp, and on Corridor-II, between Central and Thirumangalam ramp, runs as underground tunnels.