Throngs of Trincity residents yesterday came out to protest the construction of a proposed five-storey building by Bhagwansingh’s Hardware.
Bearing placards at the proposed site at Trincity Central Road, and accompanied by their Arouca/Maloney MP Alicia Hospedales, the residents chanted in unison “Bhagwansingh must go!”
Hospedales said the residents decided to protest because they were not consulted about the development.
She said they were alarmed to see that a fence was erected on the bank of a water channel, while a guard booth and tool shed were built days after the sod was turned in August.The site is a stone’s throw from the Trincity roundabout.
“The Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation stepped in an issued a work stop order after a complaint was made. The residents are contesting the decision by Town and Country Planning Division to approve the construction of such a facility without consultation,” Hospedales said.
She said the community was already overwhelmed with flooding, traffic congestion, and an overburdened sewage system. The development, she said, would only add to their woes. Some of the areas likely to be affected are Roland, Sunrise, Cassleton and Dinsley, Hospedales said.
The residents said they heard that upon completion of the building, it will be rented as commercial space.
Yesterday, chairman and CEO of Bhagwansingh’s Group of Companies Helen Bhagwansingh said tomorrow the company will issue a statement on the matter.