Pozhichalur residents seek a level-playing field
Tuesday September 5 2006 11:16 IST
CHENNAI: A day after the DMK Government dropped the satellite city proposal to save livelihoods of thousands of villagers, residents of Pozhichalur want the same yardstick to be applied to save their homes from being razed for the proposed airport expansion project.
Despite protests of various forms from the residents here against the airport expansion project, the Chief Minister's assurance in the Assembly recently that the residents would not be affected during the implementation gave a clear indication that the state has no other way but to go ahead with the expansion plan.
Though the agitating residents are firm on continuing with their struggle against the proposal, they, however, see a ray of hope with the government's reversal on satellite city.
''When the government wants to protect the lives of 13,000 villagers residing between Vandalur and Kelambakkam, why can't the same rule be applied to 50,000 people in the verge of being displaced from Pozhichalur, Cowl Bazaar and Anakaputhur,'' asks K Rajagopal, secretary, Endangered Citizens' Forum. He also wondered how could a massive project such as airport expansion be implemented without affecting residents as promised by the Chief Minister.
Pozhichalur residents feel that the PMK, stubborn in its stand to reconsider the satellite city proposal, was instrumental in the state going back on the proposal. They also have met PMK founder Ramadoss and briefed him on the issue days ago and he had promised to take up the issue with the Chief Minister. Residents expect him to take up their cause also.
The residents firmly believe that the Left parties, constituent of the DPA and extending outside support to the DMK Government, would definitely come to their rescue along with PMK.
Already CPI state secretary Tha Pandian has addressed meetings assuring to fight for their cause. ''People come first. Alliances come next,'' he had reiterated.
Greenfield concept, favoured by alliance partners like Communists, is now gaining momentum among residents here, waiting it to be accepted by the state to save their livelihood.
SOURCE : NEW INDIAN EXPRESS,SEP 5,2006
Tuesday September 5 2006 11:16 IST
CHENNAI: A day after the DMK Government dropped the satellite city proposal to save livelihoods of thousands of villagers, residents of Pozhichalur want the same yardstick to be applied to save their homes from being razed for the proposed airport expansion project.
Despite protests of various forms from the residents here against the airport expansion project, the Chief Minister's assurance in the Assembly recently that the residents would not be affected during the implementation gave a clear indication that the state has no other way but to go ahead with the expansion plan.
Though the agitating residents are firm on continuing with their struggle against the proposal, they, however, see a ray of hope with the government's reversal on satellite city.
''When the government wants to protect the lives of 13,000 villagers residing between Vandalur and Kelambakkam, why can't the same rule be applied to 50,000 people in the verge of being displaced from Pozhichalur, Cowl Bazaar and Anakaputhur,'' asks K Rajagopal, secretary, Endangered Citizens' Forum. He also wondered how could a massive project such as airport expansion be implemented without affecting residents as promised by the Chief Minister.
Pozhichalur residents feel that the PMK, stubborn in its stand to reconsider the satellite city proposal, was instrumental in the state going back on the proposal. They also have met PMK founder Ramadoss and briefed him on the issue days ago and he had promised to take up the issue with the Chief Minister. Residents expect him to take up their cause also.
The residents firmly believe that the Left parties, constituent of the DPA and extending outside support to the DMK Government, would definitely come to their rescue along with PMK.
Already CPI state secretary Tha Pandian has addressed meetings assuring to fight for their cause. ''People come first. Alliances come next,'' he had reiterated.
Greenfield concept, favoured by alliance partners like Communists, is now gaining momentum among residents here, waiting it to be accepted by the state to save their livelihood.
SOURCE : NEW INDIAN EXPRESS,SEP 5,2006
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