Sunday, January 14 2007
New Indian Express
CUDDALORE: Panchayat leaders have opposed setting up of industries in SIPCOT industrial area saying that would pose adverse impact on the environment in the coastal town.
Speaking to journalists here on Saturday, president of Periyapattu Panchayat D Devarajan pointed out that the government had given the nod for setting up of a mega-textile park, thermal plant, multi-crore PVC plant and an oil refinery near SIPCOT. The work on some of the units also commenced recently.
He said the firms had forcefully purchased arable land from the farmers at a cheap price and that too without informing the purpose. They had paid Rs 40,000 per acre as against the market rate of Rs 1 lakh.
The firms were expected to utilise huge quantity of ground water he said pointing out that people in Cuddalore Municipality and many hamlets had already been facing acute drinking water shortage.
Treasurer of coastal Samiyarpettai Panchayat C Kuttiyandi said fishing in the Bay of Bengal and the river Paravanar would be affected. Environment had taken a severe beating with the operation of many firms in SIPCOT, he said and expressed fear that establishment of these firms would have an adverse impact on the environment.
Vice-president of Silambimangalam Panchayat S Ramamurthi, treasurer of Chinnandikuzhi N Mahalingam and vice-president of Periyandikuzhi G Settu also spoke.
Panchayat leaders of Periyapattu, Gopalapuram, Anadaarmulli Pallam, Poochimedu, Vandipalayam, Thachampalayam, Periyandikuzhi, Chinnandikuzhi, Silambimangalam, Villiyanallur, V Panchangkuppam, K Panchanguppam, Koththatai, Karikuppam, Salangaikara Street, South Chinnur, North Chinnur, Pudupettai, Indira Nagar, Pudukuppam, Velangirayan Pettai, Samiyarpettai, Kumarapetai, Madavapallam, Annapanpettai, Reddiyarpettai and Aiyampettai also took part.