Don't challenge HC order on 8-lane, urge farmers

Elaborating the resolutions passed at the office bearers meeting held in Thanjavur, State General Secretary P Shanmugam told reporters that the High Court had given a welcome judgement on the project. “It is a historic judgement as it clearly indicated no works should be taken up for any projects without getting environmental clearance.”

However, acting contrary to the spirit of the judgment, the union surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari said the eight-lane road would be implemented as per plan during an election meeting held in Salem, Shanmugam pointed out.

“The minister’s speech had created unrest among the farmers of the western region of the State. We appeal the State government to strictly adhere to the orders of the court,” he said.

Shanmugam said a consultative meeting has been scheduled on April 28 at Tiruvannamalai to chart out the future course of action if the Central and State governments go ahead on the expressway against the farmers’ opinion.

“The farmers affected by the project, the counsels who appeared for them, retired judge Subramaniam and others would address the meeting,” he said.

Shanmugham pointed out the parties allied with the ruling BJP, including the AIADMK, had promised to make the Cauvery delta as a protected agriculture zone. However, the Union government had given nod for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies for the ONGC to drill 40 new wells for hydrocarbon extraction. “This has created doubt among the farmers of the Cauvery delta area. The Central and State governments have broken their promises. Hence the farmers’ association would take up a joint struggle with like-minded organisations to oppose the coal bed methane (CBM), shale gas, hydro carbon exploration,” he said, adding that the ruling AIADMK should explain its stand on the issue.