Don’t Oppose Chennai-Salem Highway Project Without Knowing Full Details, Madras HC Tells Protestors

The Salem-Chennai Highway has got a boost with the Madras High Court asking people to avoid opposing the project. Justice D Raja, dismissing a petition from Tamil Maanila Congress Salem west leader Suseendrakumar, said for the first time, the highway was connecting villages and small towns with big cities like Salem and Chennai, Tamil Daily Dinamalar reported.

The judge remarked the highway will pave way for setting up new industries and drawing foreign direct investment, while transport of goods can be speeded up. He said people shouldn’t oppose the highway project without knowing full details, its objective and its utility.

Suseendra Kumar had filed a petition seeking to hold a meeting at Omalur to oppose the project after district police officials refused to give him permission.

Without knowing the objective of the project, it would be best to avoid opposing the meeting, Justice Raja said, adding the project was a big one that could benefit all. The judge even sought the opinion of advocates present in the court with almost all of them barring one welcoming it.

The 274-km long proposed corridor has run into a controversy with fringe elements entering the villages where lands are to acquired and scaring people with rumours such as poor compensation and denial of access to their lands on the other side of the planned highway.

Also Read: Willing Farmers Look For Sweet Deal To Part With Their Lands For Salem-Chennai Expressway