Villagers plan agitation against Ranipet BHEL plant’s wall proposal, defused

Villages, including Mukundarayapuram, Seekarajapuram, Lalapet, Katharikuppam, Kondakuppam, Marudampakkam and Palleri, threatened to close down shops and stage a demonstration over Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited’s BAP digging pits to build a compound wall which reportedly would impede locals’ access to nearby roads.

According to LC Mani of Lalapet, “We are using the Lalapet-Mukundarayapuram road, the Lalapet-Seekarajapuram connected Tiruvalam link road for over thirty years. BAP’s move will restrict our access to the roads being totally closed without an alternative.”

Echoing the concern, K Gokul, also of Lalapet, said, “The proposed wall would also affect the Lalapet irrigation tank, its supply channel, lands belonging to the Padavettaman temple, Melandai street extension and the local cremation ground.”

The threat gained urgency as BAP dug pits abutting the above areas “which would have resulted in even a State highways-maintained road coming within the BAP campus,” said Ranipet SIDCO industries association’s L Gandhijothi. Owners of around 20 industries in the locality also expressed anger as it is claimed that the compound wall will affect their cargo movement completely. Miffed at the reception they got when presenting a petition, the industrialists handed over the petition to Collector S Divyadarshini a few days ago.

However, what spurred official action was the floating of hand bills in the above villages threatening closure of shops and agitation on Wednesday. Acting on it, Sub Collector K Ilambagavath, after inspecting the areas and listening to both sides, reportedly told BAP staff that “it is all poromboke land and hence BAP can build their wall on the other side of the road without affecting any industry or house,” he added.