Residents of 18 villages oppose upcoming SIPCOT project in their area

Residents of Kallangadu petition against SIPCOT in Vanji Nagaram panchayat, citing impact on cattle grazing and cultural sites.

Residents of Kallangadu in Melur taluk submitted a petition with Collector M.S. Sangeetha here on Monday demanding not to set up SIPCOT in Vanji Nagaram panchayat.

The petition, which was submitted on behalf of the residents of 18 villages in the area, said the plain surface, which was to be used for starting an industrial area, was one of the largest plain surfaces in the district which was used extensively for cattle grazing. 

They added that the land was not only used by the Kallangadu villagers, but people from Nagappansivalpatti, Moovansevalpatti, Thayampatti, Kanduvapatti, Kambalipatti, Nellukundupatti, Nallasukkampatti, Nattarmangalam and Usilampatti for cattle grazing. 

“Almost all of the people residing in these villages are solely dependent on cattle raising for their livelihood. In this situation, the cattle can be raised healthy only when they feed on clean grass,” the petition added.  

To promote cattle raising among the villagers, even the State government was giving free of cost cows and subsidised rate cows, it noted.  

Further in the middle of the area, a Pandian-era temple was situated. The temple, which belonged to the 18 villages, would witness a huge footfall, especially during Mahasivaratri event, the petition said.  

The earmarked area for the SIPCOT in the area would distort the livelihood and cultural sites of the area, the petition said.