Residents fast against airport expansion
Tuesday December 5 2006 12:10 IST

CHENNAI: Continuing their efforts to protest against the airport expansion plan in Chennai, members of the Struggle Committee Against Expansion in Cowl Bazaar, Anakaputhur and Pozhichalur observed a fast at Pallavaram on Monday.

More than 500 residents, who participated in the fast, urged the government not to go ahead with the airport expansion.

B Kumar, secretary of the committee, said, ‘‘The expansion should not be done on the side which is populated. Many will be affected by the move.’’

The committee initially sought the permission of the police for a chain fast. ‘‘But they allowed us to fast only on one day,’’ explained Kumar.

However, similar fasts will be held at Pammal on December 7 and Anakaputhur on December 9.

The committee has also submitted memoranda to different political leaders.

‘‘We expect the issue to be discussed in the Assembly. But it is disheartening to know that the session is only for three days which means that many issues could not be discussed,’’ said Kumar.

Bharathi Kumar, chairman of Ankaputhur Municipality, and Mahendran, MLA from Perambur, extended support to the fast