Drop Salem-Chennai green corridor: Residents

They said that if they give up their land it will affect both their livelihood and the environment.  While they were demonstrating against the 8-lane highway project near the Collectorate here, they suddenly demanded that they be allowed to meet the Collector KS Kandasamy. They wanted to hand a petition over to him in this connection. 

When police personnel on duty prevented them from going into the Collectorate, they broke the cordon and went up to the main entrance. However, they were stopped by the ASP, who questioned their move to enter the premises without police permission. 

Noticing the melee, Collector Kandasamy walked out of his office and received the petition from the protesting residents. They mentioned in the plea that the 600-ft wide, 8-lane proposed highways between Chennai and Salem cut through forest land and hills for nearly 230 km. It also passes through 44 km of farm lands. In addition to affecting their livelihood, the project would also affect their farm land if undertaken. Hence, they requested the Collector to ensure that the green corridor project was given up to protect the environment in the district.