Demolition of 155 structures to begin soon: Baalu

Chennai, Dec 2 (UNI) As many as 155 structures, including the marriage hall owned by actor-politician Vijayakanth, will be demolished in 10 to 15 days for the construction of a flyover at Koyambedu junction.

Informing this to reporters here today, Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu said the Centre had sanctioned a sum of Rs 75 crore as compensation to be given to the property owners in two weeks.

Stating that the Union Finance Ministry would give its nod for sanctioning the compensation in a week, Mr Baalu said the District Revenue Officer (DRO) would decide and distribute the quantum of compensation to be given to each of the structures, which would be demolished.

The demolition work would begin before the distribution of the compensation, Mr Baalu said and refused to be drawn into the controversy over the demolition of the marriage hall, owned by Mr Vijayakanth.

''I don't want to indulge in petty politics and ridicule myself,'' the Union Minister said when asked whether the 155 structures included Mr Vijayakanth's marriage hall.

''The actor-politician had even attributed motives to the New Year greetings, which I have sent,'' Mr Baalu added.

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