Satellite city project will not affect poor: CM

Chennai, Sept 1 (UNI) Allaying apprehensions on the proposed satellite city coming up on the outskirts of Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said the government would ensure that farmers and the poor were not affected by the project.

Intervening a debate on the demand for grant for the Planning, Development and Initiatives Department, he said of the 1.50 lakh acres of land available near Vandalur, the government had identified only 30,000 acres for the implementation of the project.

He had clearly stated in the House yesterday that residential places, agricultural lands, places of worship and places of water resources would be left untouched.

Before making the announcement, he consulted with all allies about the project and taken their consent, he added.

If there was any rumour spreading among the public that residents of the area would be displaced, the allied parties could have approached him and sought the clarification, he said.

Referring to the agitation announced by the PMK on the issue, Mr Karunanidhi said ''if they are ready for a war against the government I am also prepared for it. But this war was not against you but to be with you.'' The Chief Minister said the project was envisaged only for the welfare and prosperity of the people.

Stating that such satellite cities were being created on the outskirts of big cities in foreign countries, he said the benefit of the project would be realised only after 10 years, when there would be heavy congestion in Chennai city.

Earlier, PMK floor leader G K Mani said there was panic among the residents, who had been living in the area for three to four generations, that they would be displaced due to the implementation of the project.

Instead of acquiring 30,000 acre in a single place, the government could make use of the land surrounding the Chennai city for the project, he suggested.

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