Date:20/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/20/stories/2008032051630100.htm

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Tirupur has high hopes from budget

M. Gunasekaran

Preliminary discussions held on formation of the district

There were suggestions that Uthukuli panchayat union be incorporated in the proposed district
Consumer organisations have demanded creation of better infrastructure in unapproved layouts

TIRUPUR: The State budget, to be presented on Thursday, has raised expectations in the knitwear hub of Tirupur which is set to be made the headquarters of a district to be created by carving out areas from Coimbatore and Erode districts. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had said a few months ago while inaugurating the Tirupur Municipal Corporation that Tirupur would be the headquarters of the district.

Tirupur MLA C. Govindasamy on Tuesday expressed the hope that an announcement to this effect, and the necessary provisioning, would be made in the budget.

“It is a long-pending expectation of the people of Tirupur, and the export city deserves better infrastructure. I hope the government will take serious steps to create a district with Tirupur as its headquarters,” he said, adding that he did not see any more delay occurring in realising the dream.

Special officer

Preliminary discussions have been held on the formation of the district, and a special officer of the government is to give final shape to the extent and composition of the district. Avanashi, Tirupur, Palladam and Udumalpet taluks of Coimbatore district, and Dharapuram and Kangeyam taluks of the neighbouring Erode district, would come under the new district, informed sources said.

As people of Sulur, on the outskirts of Coimbatore city, wanted their region to remain a part of Coimbatore district, there were suggestions that Uthukuli panchayat union, which shares its borders with Tirupur taluk, be incorporated in the proposed district.

Power supply issue

In this context, Tirupur Exporters’ Association president A. Sakthivel requested the government to upgrade power transmission facilities in Tirupur. He wanted uninterrupted power supply to Tirupur to complement the growth of exports. He wanted a major scheme to provide low-cost houses to workers in Tirupur.

Consumer organisations have meanwhile demanded the formation of wider roads and the creation of better infrastructure in unapproved layouts, and the provision of basic amenities in slums.