Year On, Eerie calm haunts Moulivakkam neighbourhood

C Shivakumar and Martin Louis

Chennai:

Residents of Raja Raja Nagar have yet to recover from the shock of one
of the biggest tragedy in construction sector that killed 60 people
last year.



An uneasy calm prevails in the area with most of the residents get
back into their houses before 9.30pm.



“It lacks the earlier cacophony. Now people are afraid to venture out
in the night and are inside home by 7.30pm,” said Jagan, a student of
AM Jain college.



There have also been tales of seeing ghosts in the area which some
locals as well as cops are spreading, said Jagan.



Interestingly, the disaster has sucked out the business of house
owners who let out their property for rent. “I have three compounds.
We used to used to give rooms on rent for Rs 10,000. Now even for Rs
5,000, we are hardly getting any,” says a house owner.



It seems Raja Raja Nagar’s realty value has also diminished. “Nearly
20 houses in teh area are lying vacant as tenants are afraid to step
in,” says Jagan.



Interestingly, residents point out to the imposing 11-storey
unfinished structure, which has has been certified as unsafe, is
forcing the possible tenants to rethink on locating anywhere near the
building. This was part of the twin towers and stood testimony to the
collapse of the other tower.



However, there has also been apathy towards those who bought flats as
well as those whose houses were damaged after the structure collapsed.



Abdul Khader, a techie, said that his house was totally damaged along
with important items. “It can’t be renovated. It has to be built all
over again. Initially, we asked for a compensation of Rs 25 lakh and
now hiked it to Rs 35 lakh as we have been losing our rentals as well
as our peace,” he said.



“We seek the interention of the Chief minister as we were hardly paid
a penny for the tragedy that struck us,” says Khader.



Interestingly, two more houses of his neighbours were demolished in
the tragedy. Besides, the police has also sealed five more houses as
it is claimed that they are located near the unsafe structure. “This
theory of vacating building in the 30 degree radius of the unsafe
structure is ridiculous. It can fall on anyone. Why they have zeroed
in on five houses. Now they have to take a house on rent when they
have their own,” he said.