Resolutions planned against Salem-Chennai green corridor

23 panchayats in Harur and Paapireddypatty expected to take part

Farmers of 156 panchayats in Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri and Salem have voiced opposition to the project.

Gram sabhas across Harur and Paapireddypatty have proposed to pass resolutions against the 8-lane Salem-Chennai Green Corridor project here on Wednesday.

The All India Kisan Sabha has extended its support to the declaration by the farmers of 156 panchayats in Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri and Salem.

Speaking to

The Hindu , Chandra Kumar, a farmer leading the protests against the project in Paapireddypatty and Harur, said the resolutions were being moved by the panchayats with people’s participation.

As many as 23 panchayats in Harur and Paapireddypatty are expected to pass resolutions to this effect, along with the farmers of Salem, Tiruvannamalai and Krishnagiri.

Host of grievances

The panchayats include Athipaady in Uthangarai in Krishnagiri; Ettiypatty in Harur in Dharmapuri; Thambal, Vedakattamaduvu, Alambady, Andhiyur, Theerthamalai, Mambady, Veppampatty Palayam, Kudalur, Thedampatty, Kammalampatty, Eetiyampatty and Harur in Harur taluk, and Nambipatty, Chinnankuppam, Parayapatty, Erumiyampatty, Pudupatty, Irullapatty, Kavundapatty, Thadampatty, Pallipatty and Paapireddypatty in Paapireddypatty taluk in Dharmapuri.

Among the reasons for their opposition to the project, the farmers have cited dispossession of their lands, loss of livelihood, destruction of lush farmland, water sources, mineral resources, forest lands and partitioning of villages and village commons by the proposed alignment of the greenfield corridor.