The construction of a modern abattoir at Panjapur on the outskirts of the city has once again run into rough weather with the locals opposing its establishment.
The sit-in-protest staged by a section of residents braving the rain on Sunday revealed their resolute stand on opposing the project.
They were staging the protest at the construction site for the third consecutive day.
The protest began soon after the arrival of construction materials on Thursday night for restarting the construction work.
Complaining that the abattoir would spoil the environment, the protesters said that they would never allow the project.
This is not the first time that the residents are up in arms against the project. They had resorted to various forms of protests in May 2016 when the Tiruchi Corporation decided to set up the abattoir, forcing the civic body to hold peace talks with the agitators.
In order to convince the protesters, the civic body selected a group of them and took them to Coimbatore to showcase a modern abattoir. However, they refused to budge from their stand.
“The abattoir will spoil the environment in our residential locality. The discharge from the abattoir and leftovers will pollute the environment. We will not allow the Corporation to treat our locality as a dump yard,” said A. Velusamy of Panjapur, where about 3,000 families are living.
Recollecting the functioning of a sewage treatment plant at Panjapur, where the Corporation has about 550 acres of land, Mr. Velusamy said the plant had already spoiled the environment. The plant was supposed to run round the clock.
However, it was hardly being operated. Following it, the sewage water was released on open grounds without treating it.
Similarly, the untreated water was being let into the Koraiyaru and then in the Cauvery.
“In such circumstances, the Corporation has gone ahead with a proposal to construct a modern abattoir. The residents will never allow it,” Mr. Velusamy added.
Meanwhile, officials are expected to hold a negotiation with the protesters on Monday.
