Modi’s proposed visit to unveil 112-feet Adiyogi statue draws flak

Retired judge of Madras High Court Justice D Hariparanthaman said the environmental impact is the main concern. 

“This locality has a lot of wildlife and is the catchment area of Noyyal river. The illegal constructions span over 1,25,000 square metres of the hill area. As many as 62 blocks have been put up and more are being constructed without the permission of the Town and Country Planning authorities. Despite a demolition notice issued by the department in 2012, no action has been taken. This area is known as a hotspot for elephants and other wild animals. It is sad to see many institutions, under the guise of education, building on our forest areas,” said the retired judge.

The Foundation has been subject to litigation seeking the demolition of the constructed structures, including the statue, in and around Ikkarai Bolluvampatty village, which has been unauthorised by the Town and Country Planning Department, Coimbatore.

Environmentalist Nityanand Jayaraman said that the PM inaugurating a construction mired in illegalities, would send out the wrong message. Advocate M Vetriselvan, a member of environmental group Poovulagin Nanbargal, added that the Mahashivratri celebrations hosted by the Foundation attracts lakhs of visitors, which can disturb the wildlife of the locality.

More than 5,000 police personnel led by the Director General of Police will be deployed here on in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on Friday. 

Highly placed intelligence sources said that the Prime Minister will spend around three hours to unveil the 112-foot-tall Adiyogi idol, at Velliangiri Hills, in rural Coimbatore. It is learnt that the Prime Minister will reach Coimbatore International Airport around 6 pm and proceed to the programme venue by a helicopter. He will return to the airport and return to Delhi around 9 pm. 

Around 1,500 police personnel led by city Police Commissioner A Amalraj will be deployed in and around the airport. The remaining 3,500 personnel will be deployed near the programme venue and other sensitive areas.