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Cracks in over 150 houses and a historic temple in Agra's Moti Katra and Syed Gali areas, attributed to metro tunnelling, have displaced over 500 residents. The tunnelling, part of a 2km underground rail project, began in October 2023, though residents reported cracks as early as July. Divisional commissioner Ritu Maheshwari ordered quality repairs, thorough surveys, and damage reassessments, involving IIT Roorkee for quality assurance. Despite ongoing repair efforts and temporary stabilisation measures, fear and dissatisfaction persist. Locals demand compensation, accountability, and long-term solutions, highlighting the need for stringent oversight in infrastructure projects to prevent such disruptions and risks.
Cracks have emerged in more than 150 houses in Agra's Moti Katra and Syed Gali areas, compelling over 500 residents to evacuate. The damage, reportedly linked to ongoing tunnelling for an underground metro rail track, has heightened safety concerns and led to calls for immediate remediation and compensation from officials overseeing the metro project. Advertisement
Recently, divisional commissioner Ritu Maheshwari inspected the affected areas under phase two of the metro rail project. She instructed officials to prioritise high-quality repairs and ordered a comprehensive survey involving municipal and metro officials, complete with videographic and photographic evidence, to reassess the extent of the damage. Maheshwari also mandated that property repairs only proceed once owners are satisfied. Additionally, she directed metro officials to fix damaged water and sewerage systems, whitewash repaired buildings, and obtain a quality assurance report from IIT Roorkee before returning properties to their owners.
The tunnelling, which began in October 2023, involves a 2km underground railway project connecting Agra College to Mankameshwar Mandir station, with excavation depths reaching 100-150 feet. However, residents stated that cracks began forming as early as July and have since worsened. Temporary measures, such as iron jacks for stabilisation, have been implemented, but fear of building collapse persists.
A resident of Moti Katra shared their distress over extensive damage to their home, rendering it uninhabitable. Another local blamed metro officials' negligence for the devastating impact on their family's life and safety. Many others echoed these concerns, with some planning legal action against the contracting firm. One affected individual, who has vacated their damaged home, emphasized how tunneling activities have disrupted basic infrastructure, including sewage and water systems. The damage extends beyond homes, with cracks appearing in the 200-year-old Kaila Devi Chamunda temple, whose upper structure is now tilting precariously.
Responding to the complaints, Agra metro rail project director Arvind Rai stated that a previous survey identified damage in 50 houses, of which 35 have been repaired, allowing displaced residents to return. Repairs on the remaining houses are ongoing, but Rai also mentioned that some cracks predated the metro project.
The ongoing metro rail tunnelling project in Agra has led to significant structural damage to homes and a historical temple, displacing many residents and sparking widespread concerns. Despite assurances from officials and ongoing repair efforts, locals remain sceptical, demanding urgent compensation and accountability. While temporary solutions and surveys are underway, the incident underscores the importance of stringent oversight in infrastructure projects. The affected residents are seeking not only restoration of their properties but also a long-term resolution to prevent further disruptions and risks.
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