Govt will appeal against Madras HC order, says Minister

Chennai: The state government on Monday said that it would go on an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High order quashing the land acquisition process for the Salem-Chennai eight-lane green corridor project.

Claiming the verdict was not a setback, Minister for Milk and Dairy Developmnt K. T. Rajendra Balaji said Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami would convene a meeting of allies to decide on the next course of action. Speaking to reporters in Srivilliputhur in southern Virudhunagar district, Monday the Minister said he did not consider today's verdict as setback. “As this project is essential to foster industrial growth in the State, the government would appeal against the verdict,” he said.

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has brought this green corridor project as road infrastructure stimulated social and industrial development and not with any other intention, he said.

“There are enough agriculture lands for the farmers to raise crops. The government had adequately compensated the farmers affected by this project. The CM and Deputy CM O. Panneerselvam will discuss with the officials and leaders of AIADMK allies, as well, and take a decision on how to take the project forward without affecting anyone,” he said.

The ambitious 277.3-km long eight-lane greenfield Salem-Chennai corridor project under the Centre's Bharatmala Pariyojana scheme aims to reduce travel time between the two cities by half to about two hours and 15 minutes. The project has been facing stiff opposition from the locals, particularly farmers, who were displaced, and also environmentalists who were against the felling of trees for the project.