MHC stays land acquisition for Chennai-Salem highway

In a major victory to farmers in five districts in northern Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court on Monday quashed the land acquisition proceedings for the controversial eight-way lane between Chennai and Salem.

The verdict by the Madras High Court on a bunch of petitions filed by farmers and PMK, which has now aligned with the ruling AIADMK, is a serious setback to the Tamil Nadu government, which along with Centre, was hell-bent on executing the project despite stiff opposition from the people.

Farmers in five districts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Salem were up in arms against the Rs 7,500 crore project that would have cut through farmlands and ecologically-sensitive forest area. They were of the view that the expressway is not needed since there are three highways that connect Salem with Chennai.

Despite vociferous opposition from farmers, the NHAI and district administration's went ahead with acquiring land often by coercing farmers. The protests triggered tense moments in many areas with several farmers attempting self-immolation.