Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said in the assembly Monday that the construction of the Chennai-Salem greenfield corridor was a necessary project for development and would go ahead as planned for the benefit of the people.
He said, “since the DMK failed to implement the project when they were in power, we are doing it. The project is for everyone and the government is firm on completing it.”
The new route is supposed to reduce the distance from Chennai to Salem to 274 kms, cutting down travel time by three hours and distance by 60 kms.
The CM's assurances came after protests erupted amongst environmental activists, farmers, advocates and political parties as they claimed that a major portion of the corridor would run through and thereby destroy forest areas and agricultural land.
As per the project report by the consultant- Feed Back Infrastructure Pvt Ltd - submitted to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the corridor will run 59 kms in Kanchipuram district, 122 kms in Thiruvanamalai district, 2 kms in Krishnagiri district, 53 kms in Dharmpuri district and 38.3 kms in Salem district.
“This is part of the central government’s scheme to develop national corridors to improve freight movements under the ‘Bharatmala Pariyojana,” says Piyush Manush, renowned green activist in Salem. Experts are of the opinion that the due process to start construction has to be completed before the government makes such claims.
Forest department officials say the proposed highway, which will pass through five reserve forests (Nambedu Reserve, Aliamangalam, Anandavadi, Ravandavadi and Chengam reserves) must first get clearance under the Forest Conservation Act.
The pre-feasibility report claims that only about 6,500 saplings would be destroyed.
“This is a forest area, within only a 2 km stretch there would be over 6,500 saplings,” says Piyush. Further, he is convinced that there is no transparency in the process. “The cost per km of a highway should only be rs 4 crores,” he says.
“Even if more than doubled, the cost would not be more than '10 crores. So, for 270 kms, it should be Rs 2,700 crores. Add 10 lakh per acre for land acquisition and it should not come to over Rs 70 crores. Where did the Rs 11,000-crore come from?” asks Piyush.
Farmers in and around Salem district are concerned for their agricultural lands, primarily the mango-belt between Jaguru hills and Vethalaimalai, through which the highway would pass.
“The 900-feet wide road is going to be laid through the mango capital,” says Piyush. The district collector of Salem however believes it would be beneficial to the people.
“We will be providing the farmers with alternative options and compensation of over five times the value of their land,” says Rohini Bidari, collector of Salem district.
Relief and rehabilitation packages and free house-site pattas will also be given, she assures.
“Skill training and own employment ventures are being planned. We are making sure that people don't fall prey to miscommunication. Creating awareness of the benefits of the project is the key and the administration is on the field doing this already”, says Rohini.
