Peace returns for 7-yr-old, family

After MiD DAY's report on how a Santacruz construction site upset the routine and health of a family, BMC has told builder to regulate work hours

Peace returns for 7-yr-old, family

After MiD DAY's report on how a Santacruz construction site upset the routine and health of a family, BMC has told builder to regulate work hours

Following MiD DAY's report ('Meet the 7-year-old who hates holidays') about the family of seven-year-old Zainab Sheikh suffering as a result of nonstop construction work at one Nandeep building next to their house near Santacruz East station, the BMC has intervened to restore peace to the locality.

Numerous complaints to the police earlier had no effect and the construction continued from 6 am until midnight, resulting in headaches, high blood pressure and health problems for Zainab and her family members.

Zainab and her family are relieved after the BMC has taken action

The grating sounds of stone being cut, and the banging and grinding of construction had not only robbed the family of their calm and tranquility, but also academically affected Memoona, Zainab's elder sister, who was forced to study after midnight.

However, two weeks after this paper's article, the BMC stepped in and issued a notice to the builder regulating the working hours.

Abdulla Sheikh, Zainab's father, said, "It has been a week now that the work starts at 9 am and stops at 6.30 pm. We are really relieved as peace has returned to our home.

Zainab is also much better now; her crying and tantrums have reduced. We don't mind the construction during working hours, that is bearable.

Our problem was the erratic hours that the builder was allowing work in. Thankfully, now our problems have been solved."

A spokesperson for Option builders, responsible for the work at the site, admitted that they had their hours revised by the BMC, but refused to give more details.

MiD DAY highlighted the girl's health woes on Aug 6, 2011

An official from H-East ward said, "After looking at the situation in Sheikh's house, we fixed the work hours between 9 am to 6.30 pm.

It is convenient for the workers as well as the people in the neighbourhood. If the builder goes against these timings the police are free to take action against them."