P. Sarojini
      Chennai, India (CWBN)_ Chennai to Salem 8-lane highway project in Tamil Nadu which is set to reduce the travelling time between Chennai and Salem city has now cleared a massive barrier following the Supreme Court’s approval of acquisition of farmlands along the route, which was opposed by the farmers in the proposed route since the start of the project. Initially, when the project commenced, there was a huge uproar from the farmers and people of the state against this project as it seems to conquer majority of the farmlands in the state.
      Last year, the Madras High Court order cancelled the farmland acquisition and held up the INR 10,000-core Chennai to Salem 8-lane highway project. But the National Highway Authority challenged this order before the Supreme Court and has now reversed it.
      The 8-lane highway is approximately 277 km long route connecting Chennai and Salem under a central scheme, which aims to cut the travel time from six hours to three hours between the two cities. Salem district is Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s native place which is 366 km from Chennai. In accordance with environmental regulations, the central government was authorized to restart land acquisition. But the Supreme Court ordered the process to start anew.
      Following a petition from PMK’s Anbumani Ramadoss, who is an associate of AIADMK’s Chief Minister and others, the Madras High Court cancelled the project. This mega-budget project, which will slash through the hills and forests, has sparked major protests with farmers against the acquisition of 5,000 acres of highly fertile agricultural lands.
      The farmers argue that importance should be given to the rising food demand rather than the traffic needs. They said that the current huge 4-lane highway between Chennai and Salem is not busy with traffic and that the need for an extra 8-lane highway is unnecessary.
