Huge cracks appear in apartment complex built in 2016, home to around 300 families; water in area has high chloride content, say builders

CHENNAI: Nearly 300 families living in an apartment complex in Chennai are living in constant fear after huge cracks appeared in the building. It is also reported that parts of the ceiling of the 17-storey Jains Westminster complex also collapsed due to poor construction work.

The families started living in the building in 2016. Within a few months, cracks began to appear on the pillars and beams of the building. Later, parts of the concrete ceiling began falling down revealing corroded steel beams.

Many people had spent their entire life savings to buy an apartment in the building. Kumar, a retired insurance agent, shelled out over Rs 1 crore for the apartment. He said that the ceilings above his dining area and kitchen have developed cracks.

Meanwhile, the builders have come out with the explanation that the water in the area has high chloride content and this may have led to the cracks in the building. After receiving constant complaints, the builders have hired workers to repair the damage to the building.