The Hindu : Front Page : Airport promised for Vellore

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 02, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Airport promised for Vellore

P.V.V. Murthi

But it depends on passenger potential
“Many obstacles to land acquisition”

VELLORE: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Friday promised an airport for Vellore, but added that it will become a reality only after an assessment of the passenger potential in the city.

Inaugurating the Vellore Corporation at a function here on Friday, Mr. Karunanidhi said though he had inaugurated the Corporation, the people wanted the government to bring many more schemes to the city.

Pointing out that vast land is required for the airport, he said many persons were creating obstacles to land acquisition citing various factors. “We have to get over those obstacles.”

The Chief Minister said the upgrading the Vellore Municipality was the fulfilment of the demands of several political leaders.

Referring to the proposed annexation of nearby areas such as Katpadi, Arcot, Ranipet and Walajapet to the Corporation, he recalled the words of Periyar, the then municipal chairman of Erode in 1917, in the municipality’s records that the nearby areas such as Veerappanchathiram should be annexed to Erode to facilitate the upgrading of the municipality.

The new Mayor P. Karthikeyan should not be content with the creation of the Corporation but should take steps to implement development schemes facilitating the growth of the Corporation to the envy of the chairmen of neighbouring municipalities.

Mr. Karunanidhi said that the State government sanctioned Rs. 5 crore to the Vellore Corporation initially to take up development works, against the Rs.10 crore sought by the municipal body.

He wanted the Mayor and others to strive to fulfil the needs of the people.

Mr. Stalin who presided said the government had initiated a project to bring water to Vellore from Mettur and it would be taken up after the completion of a study in March 2009.

Under the All Town Panchayats Anna Marumalarchi Thittam for 2008-09, six town panchayats in Vellore district, including Tiruvalam, Katpadi, Kaveripakkam, Shenbakkam and Panapakkam would be taken up.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Ashoka pillar erected in the Old Bus Stand to commemorate the upgrading of Vellore Municipality.

He handed over the Mayoral robe and the Mayoral sceptre to Municipal Chairman Mr. Karthikeyan, marking his assumption of office as the first Mayor of the Vellore Corporation.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page