Defunct firm poses risks to Pattabiram residents

Chennai: A huge chunk of land on the Chennai-Tiruvallur high road in Pattabiram and belonging to state government remains neglected by the authorities. About 45 acres, the land on which the Southern Structurals Limited factory once manufactured railway wagons, carriages and cranes now lies abandoned. It resembles a scrub jungle with trees and plantations growing unchecked. Further, some of the heavy machineries lie intact and are rusted on factory premises.

Locals say that snakes infest the entire area as soon as the sun sets. “Though there are six security guards posted on a double shift to safeguard the premise, it becomes difficult to patrol the entire area after sunset,” said Venkatesan (48) a resident of Bharathiyar Nagar. Taking advantage of the lapse in security, local residents say that there are some miscreants who drink alcohol there and try to create a nuisance. Alcohol bottles and cigarette butts can be found within the perimeter of the factory.

To put an end to this problem, the Tamil Nadu Progressive Consumer Centre took up the issue with the district administration as well as the Chief Minister’s cell. With low employment opportunities for youth in the area, it was suggested that an IT park be opened. “We had written to the CM’s cell in 2013 regarding the establishment of an IT park; and it was forwarded to Elcot. They wrote back to us stating they would look into the suggestion, but nothing has happened since then,” said Sadagopan, president of the centre.

With Pattabiram and its surrounding areas not having a government college, another activist J. Jayakumar said, “Our students have to travel long distances to attend a college. If this vast space can be converted for an education purpose, it would be of immense benefit to them.”

Thiruvallur collector K. Veera Raghava Rao said that he was aware of the land lying unused. “Regarding its utilisation, it is up to the concerned department in state government to look into the matter,” he said.