HC rejects plea for public meeting against highway project

Observing that the proposed Chennai-Salem greenfield corridor would benefit people, the Madras High Court today dismissed a petition by the Tamil Maanila Congress seeking permission for holding a public meeting against the Rs 10,000 crore project on July 8.

Justice T Raja dismissed the petition filed by a local TMC functionary seeking permission for the meeting in Salem, saying holding such meetings without fully knowing the ramifications and the vision of the government should be avoided.

The judge noted that it was the first time the government proposed to build an eight-lane highway which would provide connectivity to villages and small towns between the two cities and cut down on travel time.

"In my considered view, it would pave the way for many industries, factories and even multi-national companies to come and set up their establishments...," he said, adding that it would generate employment opportunities to youths.

Petitioner K V Suseenthirakumar, President of TMC's Salem West District unit, said he had submitted two representations to the police seeking permission for conduct of the meeting, to be presided over by party chief G K Vasan, giving an undertaking that it would be held in a peaceful manner.

However, as the police had not given permission, he has moved the court.

Petitions challenging the land acquisition for the project have been filed in the high court.

Some quarters, including a section of farmers whose lands would be acquired for the project, have opposed it.