PMK founder S Ramadoss on Sunday urged the Tamil Nadu government to alter its plans to construct a bus terminus at Vandalur, because the project would entail acquisition of 65 acres of agricultural land. Instead, he suggested that the terminus could be constructed on 100 acres of poromboke land owned by the government at Kolappakkam.
Ramadoss also threatened to mobilise the local residents of the area against the project if the state government failed to act on his suggestion.
“Keeping in mind the growing traffic congestion in Chennai and the fact that the mofussil bus terminus at Koyambedu was opened more than 10 years ago, the government has made the correct decision to construct another bus terminus at Vandalur,” said Ramadoss in a statement.
“But it is being said that the government has decided to acquire 65 acres of agricultural land for the new project. This decision to acquire irrigated land to build a new terminus is shocking,” he added.
The PMK leader said that the loss of agricultural land would affect the livelihoods of more than 1,200 families in the area. Besides, the move would also have an impact on the State’s food security.