Under-construction building for poor tilts in Coimbatore

Ammankulam (Tamil Nadu), Apr 4 (ANI): A multi-storied building in Coimbatore, being constructed under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission Scheme for the homeless and poor, has tilted.

Officials examined the site of the building that was being constructed for the homeless and the poor and found that the building had tilted, upto half a meter north.

Tamil Nadu Minister of Rural Industries and Animal Husbandry Pongalur N. Palanisamy said that the construction work has been stopped and the building containing 48 houses would be demolished.

"When the case was reported to the district officials, all the concerned authorities and myself visited the site and we found that the building is tilted by half a meter," said Palanisamy.

"Experts can only explain the exact reason for this. But we have decided to demolish this and construct a new one with a strong basement," he added.

The locals said that the building was constructed on a water body, which supplied water to over 10 nearby villages in the district. The authorities only recently covered it up and filled it up with waste material and mud.

"This land actually was a part of a lake, which supplied water to more than 12 villages and it is spread over more than 85 acres," said Raja Rathinam, a local resident.

The locals said that the soil testing and the quality checks on the building were not properly done and alleged that a mishap could have taken place as these flats were to be occupied in June 2010.

The residents have decided to approach the Madras High Court to seek directions that there are no further dangerous constructions in Ammankulam area.

The reconstruction of the building will result in a loss of Rs 25 million. (ANI)