CM attacks DMK for its "commission" taunt on highway project

The Chief Minister was speaking at a mass marriage function organised as part of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s 70th birthday anniversary celebrations in Krishnagiri district on Sunday.

Attributing no motive behind implementing the Green Corridor Project, Palaniswami refuted DMK’s allegations that the state government is executing the project for a commission.

Pointing out to a remark by DMK leader Duraimurugan that the state government is implementing the road project by getting 30 per cent commission, the CM retorted, “He is asking so, as DMK’s TR Baalu, who held the portfolio of Union Surface Transport Ministry in the UPA regime, received commission in executing many road projects across India.”

Refuting claims by opposition parties that the road project will be beneficial only to Salem, the CM said all cities in Tamil Nadu will stand to gain if the project is implemented.

“This is India’s second-biggest road project implemented by the Centre by sanctioning funds, while the state government’s role is confined only to acquiring land for the project,” he said.

Explaining further on the benefits of the Rs 10,000 crore Green Corridor Project, the CM said that accidents will come down. “Also industrial investments will come up and generate employment opportunities for students,” he said. The CM also said that the vehicle population, which was at 2.7 crore in 2008 has now doubled to 2.57 crore and it will go up further to 3.27 crore, when the expressway project gets over.

Palaniswami also said Tamil Nadu has been in the forefront in all sectors, however, the Opposition is making false propaganda to dethrone the AIADMK government.