The standoff between Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and Chennai Metro Rail Limited over acquisition of 9.912 acres at Nandanam is continuing with the university and its staff association objecting to the takeover of the premises for construction of the CMRL corporate office and other facilities.
The CMRL had issued a letter asking TANUVAS to vacate the Institute of Poultry Production Management (IPPM) currently functioning on its premises at Nandanam and hand over the property on or before December 30.
The university wrote to the government last month stating it could only hand over three acres with 100-metre frontage facing Anna Salai. It also pointed out difficulties in relocating various facilities including transiting the elite germplasm, developed over decades.
ADVERTISEMENT
Last year a high-power committee had approved CMRL's proposal to take over 9.912 acres and recommended that the Institute be shifted to Kattuppakkam in Kancheepuram district.
Responding to the proposal, the university, in its reply dated March 8 this year, raised objections and listed a series of reasons for retaining the 70-year-old institute on its existing location where it has Rs.450-crore worth of equipment. The Institute is an integral part of the university, where academic and research activities take place.
It also helps the farmers by providing extension services on poultry rearing, maintaining some of the original breeds of poultry and functioning as home to more than 150 spotted deer.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Ready to part with a portion of land”
TANUVAS sources said they understood the importance of Metro Rail and were ready to part with a portion of the land for constructing a station.
However, they were opposed to the takeover of the entire premises for CMRL corporate office and commercial exploitation of the land.
The staff association had passed a resolution opposing the “administrative sanction to acquire the lands for CMRL project,” and represented before the government. The Chief Secretary has called for a meeting next week to discuss the issue, the sources said.
When contacted R. Prabakaran, Vice-Chancellor, TANUVAS, said it would be difficult to shift the IPPM. The university had informed the government. “We hope to get a positive response.”
K. Rajaraman, Managing Director, CMRL, on the other hand, said: “We need the entire area to provide for a station block, back operations control centre and offices. More importantly, we need space to provide integrated transport facilities that will help easy modal transfers and better dispersal of people from the station area. Without such a comprehensive plan the traffic on the existing road would be stressed further.”