Thanjavur: Members of the DMK, CPI, CPI (M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) have appealed to Mr. A. Annadurai Thanjavur district collector not to demolish houses in west and north alankams, where people have been living for nearly hundred years, for implementing the ‘Smart City’ scheme.
The members led by T.K.G. Neelamegam, Thanjavur MLA (DMK) gave a petition to the collector in this connection on Monday. M.A. Bharathi, Thanjavur district secretary of CPI and representatives of other parties accompanied Neelamegam.
Earlier they, along with hundreds of people to whom notices have been issued by city corporation for demolition of houses, marched to city corporation office, now functioning from Anna centenary auditorium from old bus stand and staged demonstration shouting slogans to stop demolition of houses. They also appealed to city corporation officials not to demolish houses.
Neelamegam told presspersons that already 500 houses in ‘Keel Alnakam’ and Kodimarathumoolai on the big moat area have been demolished. Now notices have been issued for demolition of another 1,000 houses in west and north Alankam areas. “Moreover Kamaraj market and old bus stand are demolished for renovation under smart city scheme. With respect to Kamaraj market, there are shop owners in the market for two generations and more. They are afraid that they may not get allotment of new shops as they allege that there is a plan to allot shops for ruling party supporters,” he said.
Meanwhile, M. Rangasamy, former MLA and treasurer of AMMK gave a petition to the district collector at the general grievances day meeting on the same demand. He said in the petition given to district collector that houses in west and north Alankams should not be demolished.
He also said that work on 14 micro-compost centres in the city under the scheme should be stopped as many of them are in residential areas and in places like parks allotted for public utility.
