Athens Municipality Demands Safety Guarantees for Homes Damaged by Metro Construction

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas has outlined three key demands to "Helleniko Metro" following a meeting about damage to homes in the Kypseli district caused by tunneling for Metro Line 4. Dozens of houses, affecting around 200 families, have reportedly suffered structural cracks due to the underground work.

The municipality unequivocally stands with its citizens, demanding written guarantees for the structural integrity of the affected buildings. They also require an independent public body to certify the buildings' stability. Furthermore, the municipality insists on prompt compensation and repairs for all damages as stipulated by law.

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We want Metro Line 4, but we want everything done with safety conditions, as stipulated by current regulations.

Regarding the continuation of the project, Doukas stated, "We want Metro Line 4, but we want everything done with safety conditions, as stipulated by current regulations." Excavation work in Kypseli has been halted. The mayor acknowledged that the area is known to be geologically sensitive, requiring extensive monitoring.

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Currently, the tunneler has stopped in this area for all these issues. It was an area that from the beginning we knew, the experts knew, had streams, had particular sensitivity, and required additional measurements. They reminded us that there are 3,000 sensors, both on the tunneler and around it, to monitor. Exactly because of the problems, it stopped twice, and now there is a halt.

"Currently, the tunneler has stopped in this area for all these issues," Doukas explained. "It was an area that from the beginning we knew, the experts knew, had streams, had particular sensitivity, and required additional measurements. They reminded us that there are 3,000 sensors, both on the tunneler and around it, to monitor. Exactly because of the problems, it stopped twice, and now there is a halt."

To resolve the impasse and ensure the safe restart of the project, "Helleniko Metro" has engaged specialists from Greece and abroad. Professors and experts, including one from the National Technical University of Athens and another from overseas, are tasked with presenting a plan for the safe resumption of tunneling. The municipality was informed that their report is expected within two weeks.

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We asked for written guarantees for the structural integrity of the buildings, for an independent public body to certify that these buildings are structurally sound. Secondly, we asked for compensation and repairs to proceed as the law provides.