Farmers will never forgive TNCC president for backing Salem Expressway: GK Mani

Chennai: The farmers will not forgive TNCC president KS Alagiri for supporting the Rs 10,000 crore Chennai-Salem 8-lane Greenfield Expressway, said PMK president GK Mani.

In a statement on Wednesday, former MLA GK Mani stated that recently TNCC president made remarks on the project claiming that farmers in the five districts were supporting the project and made remarks as though the fund allotted for the road project would be diverted to other states if it was not implemented in Tamil Nadu.

Recently, Madras high court in an order quashed land acquisition work for Chennai-Salem Greenfield Expressway. Alagiri also made remark claiming that State would be on the path of development if the project implemented in state. Alagiri also allegedly stated that the farmers are willing to give away the land if right compensation issued to them for acquiring the land.

Stating that Salem has been connected with Chennai by three major highways Mani said there is no need for the fourth one. The government has allotted Rs 515 crore for improvement of a State highway connecting Salem via Vaniyambadi, Thirupatthur, Pappireddipatti and Manjavadi.

Mani said the livelihood of over 10,000 families would be affected if the Chennai-Salem Greenfield Expressway implemented. Alagiri makes unwarranted remarks since his party has alliance with DMK. Alagiri, who remained silent till the LS poll, has been raking up the issue with an ulterior motive and farmers will not forgive DMK, Congress and alliance partners, Mani said