TN CM Takes On Salem-Chennai Expressway Corridor Opponents, Calls Allegations Of Corporates Benefiting Baseless

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has taken on detractors of the Salem-Chennai green expressway corridor, saying the project will give higher compensation to those whose land is acquired and will not cause any harm to environment.

Denying allegations that the Salem-Chennai green expressway corridor will benefit only corporates, he told the State Assembly that only 9.95 km of the 274 km Rs 11,000 crore project under the Bharatmala Pariyojana traverses through the forest area, Tamil daily Dinamalar reported.

The highway would be 10 km away from sanctuaries and national park and the highway would not be a hindrance to any wild animal. He also regretted that allegations were being made that the expressway would result in illegal mining and damage to agricultural fields. The corridor will pass through five districts of the State and the Chennail-Salem travel time would be cut to half from the current 5-6 hours. The government had to acquire only 747.31 acres of the total 4,695 acres required.

Owners of land acquired for the project will get land twice the current value in urban areas or 2.5 to four times its value in rural areas as compensation, Palaniswami said, adding that when 2.47 acres of land was acquired at Ayodhipattinam near Salem for a four-land road a compensation of Rs 8 lakh was paid. Now a compensation that is two-and-a-half times of that is being offered, he said and sought the cooperation of all political parties in completing the project.

The Chief Minister’s statement assumes significance in the backdrop of some mischievous and Maoists elements planning to whip up a controversy over the issue. According to intelligence agencies, these elements have got access to some of the villages through which this expressway will travers. Some 150 village-level groups have been set up in the five districts through where the project will be implemented to oppose any land acquisition. Besides, many allegations are being made through the social media against the project.

This is the first time that the Chief Minister has openly come out against the allegations against the project by vested interests.