Public protest over proposed SIPCOT project in Melur

Villagers from Pothamangalam, Kodikampatti and Vanchinagaram in Melur taluk staged a protest at Melur here on Wednesday, condemning the move by the Tamil Nadu Government to set up a SIPCOT industrial estate across roughly 278 acres in the Kallangadu region.Villagers alleged that officials surveyed private agricultural lands without prior notice to build a 100-foot-wide, four-lane road linking Kallangadu to Kachirayanpatti. To express their opposition, a federation representing 18 surrounding villages planned a collective worship event at the Pattasamy temple.Tensions rose when police dismantled a marquee set up for the gathering overnight. Angered by the denial of permission to worship and demanding the cancellation of the SIPCOT project, residents launched a protest.Melur Tahsildar Vasanth arrived at the scene and held discussions with the protesters. Residents pointed out that the project would destroy agricultural and grazing lands, waterbodies, sacred groves and archaeological sites, noting that no public hearing had been held.Following the Tahsildar’s assurance that a public hearing would be organised within a few days, the residents temporarily called off their protest.Locals questioned a report submitted by the Revenue Department, which reportedly stated that the area contained no buildings, ancient monuments or valuable trees — despite the widespread knowledge of numerous shrines, sacred groves and archaeological relics in Kallangadu.Residents demanded a thorough inquiry into the report and strict action against the officials responsible for submitting false information.They also strongly condemned the survey of private patta lands without prior notice, contrasting it with initial government announcements that only State-owned land would be utilised for the SIPCOT project. Published - September 30, 2026 07:59 pm IST