Even while the work on the construction of a flyover at Mulluvadi Gate (level crossing) commenced on Friday, the city police arrested three volunteers of Salem Citizens Forum on the charge of attempting to prevent the work.
The Railways on Friday launched the work of construction of the flyover to replace the manned level crossing gate in Mulluvadi in the heart of the city. The district administration too announced diversion of traffic from Friday to facilitate the work.
Meanwhile, a group of people, including members of the Forum and other organisations and the roadside vendors of the area, opposed the commencement of construction work without acquiring adequate land for the project.
They said that a large number of residences, shops and other business establishments were situated from the Ambedkar statue junction to Easwaran Temple junction, where the flyover was to come.
No step had been taken so far for acquiring the land for executing the project in this area. Notices had not been issued to people owning houses and shops on this road so far by the authorities. Closing the railway level crossing all of a sudden would lead to severe traffic congestion in this area, they alleged.
Further, non-acquiring of adequate land for the project would only lead to inordinate delay in the execution of the project, they said. They demanded that the construction works should be launched only after acquisition adequate land and also after ascertaining the views of the local people. The railway gate should also be closed only after making proper alternative arrangements to ensure free flow of vehicles.
Pressing the above demands, the group attempted to block the traffic on Thursday evening. However, the police and revenue officials pacified them, following which they dispersed.
Meanwhile, a group of people led by Piyush Sethiya, convener of the Salem Citizens’ Forum, arrived at the Mulluvadi Gate area on Friday morning to stall the work.
The city police arrested Mr. Piyush and two other members of the Forum on the charge of preventing the government servants from discharging their duty and also posing death threat to them. All the three were produced in the Judicial Magistrate Court 1. Kalaivani, Magistrate, remanded them to 15 days judicial custody and they were lodged in the Salem Central Prison here.
