People spread false info on greenfield highway: TN CM

Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has claimed that some persons are indulging in a false information campaign (on land acquisition) on the Chennai-Salem greenfield highway with the intention of blocking the project. But his government will ensure the project materialises, he assured.

Refuting the DMK allegation that vast stretches of land, beyond the requirement of the project, is being acquired, Mr. Palaniswami told the Assembly on Tuesday that those who gave the land for the highway project were being adequately compensated as per the new land acquisition law. “The government is extending assistance towards construction of state's solar-powered green houses in select cases. Collectors of districts where the proposed eight lane highway is set to cover are holding talks with stakeholders in this regard and many of them have come forward to provide their land for the project,” he said.

 The Chief Minister said, claims on acquiring the land in large-scale for the Rs 10,000 crore Central project was “untrue.” “The land required only for the project is being acquired. Some persons are indulging in a false information campaign about the project with the intention to prevent it. There is no need to panic. The project will  materialise,” he said intervening during a debate on the demand for grants to Agriculture Department.