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A benchmark of development
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While the legal fraternity and litigants view the coming of the Bench as a boon, the commercial sector is equally upbeat about a naturally expected boom in business, writes M.R. ARAVINDAN
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WITH MATTUTHAVANI bus stand several residential colonies were born. When the Ring Road was laid for better access more "nagars" and "purams" cropped up. Now the proposed HC Bench is likely to put the northern peripheral areas on development mode again.
True, areas like Othakadai, Ulaganeri, Uthankudi and Tirumogur have already started to feel the impact. There is a spurt in real estate activity. Land costs have escalated. Acres of cultivable lands are getting converted into plots. Houses have started coming up in all directions. Shops too are appearing. The buzz is all about the inauguration of the Bench buildings, scheduled for July 24. And all attention, civic, commercial or social, is focussed here.
Development accrues from any new and mega project, especially when it is development with a human face. And occasionally there is a tinge of dissent too, which can't be overlooked but need to be acted upon.
Traders feel the arrival of the Bench will result in overall growth benefiting sectors like hotel and restaurants, travel industry, tour operators and transporters besides the autowallahs and kiosk owners not only in the city but adjacent villages too.
Realtors have already swung into action promoting land with the Bench as the centre point. This indicates a shift in focus from the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and the city's other landmarks. The area's big advantage is its proximity to the Mattuthavani integrated bus stand but the same advantage has, however, led to escalated land cost within three areas.
While the legal fraternity and litigants view the coming of the Bench as a boon, the commercial sector is equally upbeat about a naturally expected boom in business.
The Temple City's floating population, which is dubbed as one of the highest in the State and, will continue to generate more business, it is felt.
Says Murugan, an old-timer: "Development will take place right from Melur to District Court while Othakkadai will feel the immediate impact. Already a busy area since it acts as a connecting point to Tirumogur and Melur, it will get busier."
Kumar, a two-wheeler mechanic on the Melur Road, endorses: "The cost of land has already doubled and is sure to multiply further."
But he is concerned about the shrinking size of land under cultivation. "Nearly 60 per cent of the cultivable lands have been converted into plots for residential and other purposes. Agriculture has been the main profession for many residents of the three villages but now urbanisation is taking away their work. Many are switching over to other vocations like jobs in quarries at Narasingampatti, or silver vessels making units at Othakadai or are migrating to neighbouring States in search of employment," he rues.
Kathiresan, a resident of Othakkadai, echoes the "mixed fortunes" of people. "Sure, business activities will gain momentum. But it will also increase the road traffic on high-risk accident-prone Melur Road."
Raja, of the same area, however, thinks the plan to convert Melur Road into a four-lane track and the alternate road via Madapuram connecting the Bench will take care of the expected traffic congestion. The Madurai Corporation is already geared to remove such hitches. The bench may also brighten the chances for expansion of city limits.
Kathiresan, treats this as "bad news" because it will deprive Othakkadai of benefits it was drawing as a panchayat. "There will be more restrictions for getting approval for any work and residents will be burdened with more taxes," he says.
Othakadai residents also fear a rise in crime. As a pre-emptive measure, the police have already ordered all shops to down their shutters by 10.30 p.m. This move has disappointed traders who feel their profits will be reduced.
The city residents are more bothered about the road facility and water capacity, which the realtors dismiss with much ease. "There is no such threat since ground water is available in abundance in the three colonies while the Ring Road can be upgraded and used as an alternate route" - is their argument.
The occupancy in buses and trains is also expected to lower. "Chennai-bound trains and buses will not be so crowded as litigants going to Chennai from southern districts will now curtail their trips to Madurai," says S. Natrajan with MRF Limited.
Locals may have their share of problems and worries.
But the Bench is the undisputed sign of development for lakhs of people in southern districts.
It indeed is a welcome development.
`Pride restored'
MANY OLD-TIMERS feel the High Court Bench will restore the pride of Madurai. The Temple City even during days of kings held the act of rendering justice in high esteem.
Traces can be found in history. Take the case of Kannagi, who burnt the city because the Pandya King prosecuted her husband for no fault of the latter.
Similarly is the popular mythological case of Nakkeeran and Lord Sundareswarar, the presiding deity of the city. Even God was held guilty for writing a poem conveying a wrong message. Despite God opening his third eye, Nakkeeran said, "Netrikkan thirapinum kutram kutrame."
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