The Federation of Retrieval of Tiruchi Palpannai-Thuvakudi Service Road has urged the state government to stop land acquisition for a proposed road with a reduced width of 33 meters.
Key Takeaways
- Residents are protesting the reduction of road width from 45m to 33m.
- The Madras High Court had previously mandated a 45-meter width in 2019.
- 50 Resident Welfare Associations are joining the petition drive.
- Failure to comply may lead to 5,000 individual petitions to the Chief Minister.
The Federation of Retrieval of Tiruchi Palpannai-Thuvakudi Service Road has formally urged the State government to halt the land acquisition process initiated by the district administration. The core of the dispute lies in the proposed reduction of the service road's width from the originally planned 45 meters to a mere 33 meters.
During a federation meeting held on Sunday, members passed a resolution stating that such a reduction would defeat the entire purpose of constructing a service road. It is crucial to note that the Madras High Court, in a 2019 ruling, had explicitly stated that the road width should be 45 meters. Following that judgment, officials had already conducted document verification for landholders in 2021 based on the wider dimensions.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that administrative inconsistencies in infrastructure projects often lead to prolonged legal battles and public distrust. By deviating from the 2021 survey and the High Court's guidelines, the district administration risks creating a bottleneck that will fail to alleviate traffic congestion in the long run.
Reducing the width of a planned service road undermines both the judicial mandate and the long-term urban planning objectives of the region.
S. Sakthivel, the chief organizer of the federation, announced that petitions would be submitted on behalf of 50 resident welfare associations. He further warned that if the government does not commit to the 45-meter width, the residents are prepared to escalate the matter by sending 5,000 separate petitions directly to the Chief Minister.
Historical Background
The land acquisition process was initially set in motion in 2021, following the 2019 High Court directive. At that time, the survey was specifically designed to accommodate a 45-meter wide thoroughfare to ensure smooth local connectivity and reduced highway pressure.
| Parameter | Judicial/2021 Plan | Proposed Revision |
|---|---|---|
| Proposed Width | 45 Meters | 33 Meters |
| Legal Standing | Supported by HC | Contested by Residents |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are the residents protesting the new plan?
They believe a 33-meter road is too narrow to serve its intended purpose and ignores previous court orders.
2. What is the next step planned by the Federation?
They intend to submit petitions from 50 associations and potentially 5,000 individual petitions to the CM.
