The planned apartment that falls right on the foothills is to house more than 2000 beneficiaries from 600 families once completed. However, the villagers claimed that it would result in Human-Elephant Conflict, which was already at its peak in the region.
Coimbatore: Taking their agitation to another level altogether, residents of Kalimangalam, a village near the foothills of Western Ghats at Alandurai in Coimbatore blocked the Siruvani Main Road, demanding to stop the construction of a government housing apartment in their village on Thursday.
More than 100 villagers including farmers and youths blocked the road around 9.30 am and interrupted traffic at Alandurai for close to half an hour following which police and senior officials from the revenue department were called in for action.
Blocking the road, the villagers claimed that construction was still going on at the site, despite the Chennai High Court seeking a reply petition from the departments involved in the issue.
The planned apartment that falls right on the foothills is to house more than 2000 beneficiaries from 600 families once completed. However, the villagers claimed that it would result in Human-Elephant Conflict, which was already at its peak in the region.
“Elephants are found roaming in the area often and attacks have also become common. Once the construction comes up, it would block the paths for elephants and they would enter nearby villages resulting in more HEC,” said a villager.
They also demanded that the construction should stopped immediately adding that they would block the contract material carrying trucks if needed.
They were later pacified by police and asked to file a formal petition to the revenue department.
Receiving the petition, Assistant Tahsildar S. Vairamuthu said that he would take the matter to senior officials adding that they would stop construction only if such directions are given by the court.
“The court has not given any such direction to stop constructions. But we would review the complaints of the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chennai High Court has asked various state departments including the Forest Department, Revenue Department and Coimbatore District Administration to respond to the petition filed by the Vellingiri Malaivazh Makkal Padhukaappu Sangam.
It maybe noted that a similar construction was stopped after stern protests from local people at Moolapalayam near Pooluvapatti around six months ago.
More than 100 villagers including farmers and youths blocked the road around 9.30 am and interrupted traffic at Alandurai for close to half an hour following which police and senior officials from the revenue department were called in for action.
Blocking the road, the villagers claimed that construction was still going on at the site, despite the Chennai High Court seeking a reply petition from the departments involved in the issue.
The planned apartment that falls right on the foothills is to house more than 2000 beneficiaries from 600 families once completed. However, the villagers claimed that it would result in Human-Elephant Conflict, which was already at its peak in the region.
“Elephants are found roaming in the area often and attacks have also become common. Once the construction comes up, it would block the paths for elephants and they would enter nearby villages resulting in more HEC,” said a villager.
They also demanded that the construction should stopped immediately adding that they would block the contract material carrying trucks if needed.
They were later pacified by police and asked to file a formal petition to the revenue department.
Receiving the petition, Assistant Tahsildar S. Vairamuthu said that he would take the matter to senior officials adding that they would stop construction only if such directions are given by the court.
“The court has not given any such direction to stop constructions. But we would review the complaints of the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chennai High Court has asked various state departments including the Forest Department, Revenue Department and Coimbatore District Administration to respond to the petition filed by the Vellingiri Malaivazh Makkal Padhukaappu Sangam.
It maybe noted that a similar construction was stopped after stern protests from local people at Moolapalayam near Pooluvapatti around six months ago.