Velachery residents oppose opening of TASMAC shop

Kumara Raja S, vice president of the Annai Indira Nagar Residents Welfare Association, said that the TASMAC outlet was slated to open in the main thoroughfare, considered to be an access route to many interior localities. 

One of the residents said, “There are two schools in the vicinity – Besant LVR Matric Hr Sec School and St. Antony’s Hr Sec School. This is not an ideal location for a TASMAC outlet. Residents and representatives of welfare associations protested the opening of the outlet. Officials and police assured us that the shop won’t be set up there. If they fail to keep the assurance, we will oppose till the outlet is shut.”

The Perungudi MRTS station is bang opposite the proposed site and thousands of commuters, who use the road, would be bothered by the presence of the TASMAC shop, said Saragan S of Balakrishnan Nagar Podumakkal Sabhai. He added that this is the main path to Annai Indira Nagar, Balakrishnan Nagar, Venus Colony, Anna Nagar, TANSI Nagar, VGP Selva Nagar and Baby Nagar among others. There is no other convenient way to connect the railway station. 

“Around 50 metres from the proposed TASMAC outlet, there is a church and within 100 metres, there is a temple. In addition, there are 50 women’s and men’s hostel in the vicinity. Even inside the house, there won’t be peace as the tipplers will create a nuisance,” said the 46-year-old entrepreneur. He added, “Residents will take to the streets if the outlet is allowed to function at the spot.” 

Lena Mohan, a retired official, pointed out that there was a proposal for a bar next to the outlet too. “Spurred by this, we wrote to various officials, including the local MLA, police and even the MD of TASMAC. We have received positive response. They have promised that the outlet won’t come up in the residential area,” he concluded.