What: A three-month-long protest against a new Tasmac outlet that has been established opposite the Perungudi MRTS station.
Earlier, the outlet was functioning on Velachery By-pass Road and had to be shut down in compliance with an order of the Supreme Court banning sale of liqour within 500 metres of a Highway. So, the outlet found a new location close to the Perungudi MRTS station.
Ever since the outlet came up there, women commuters have been avoiding Station Road. As 10 Tasmac outlets had been closed down in Velachery, many started thronging this one.
“There would be a long queue in front of the outlet,” says M. Balakrishnan, secretary, Tansi Nagar Residents Welfare Associations. School students in the neighbourhood complain about problems caused by men who are in an inebriated condition.
When: Since May 2017
Who: Residents of Annai Indira Nagar, Tansi Nagar, Balakrishna Nagar, Anna Nagar and Venus Colony.
How: Through neighbouring residents’ welfare associations, residents of the locality brought St.Antony School into the campaign. As the students of the school have to pass through the section where the outlet is located, every day, around 2,000 students and staff participated in a signature campaign organised by the associations. Altogether, the associations garnered around 4,500 signatures, including those of the staff and the students. Residents also approached higher officials of Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation and the Chennai Collector.
With these efforts going in vain, they took the issue to the court. The entire expenditure of the campaign was borne by the welfare associations. The Madras High Court has ruled that the Tasmac outlet should be shut down. In another two weeks, residents expect the liquor shop to be closed.
Lessons learnt: Unity among residents is crucial for success. Differences of opinion should not be a barrier to continued efforts.
