Date:16/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/16/stories/2008111652880300.htm

Tamil Nadu

AIADMK protests against move to set up new bus stand

Staff Reporter

Flaying proposal: AIADMK cadres observing a fast at Vaniyambadi on Saturday.

VANIYAMBADI: Political parties, headed by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), observed a fast here on Saturday condemning the Vaniyambadi Municipality’s decision to set up an additional bus stand adjoining the Bypass Road.

Former Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan led the protest. Traffic was disrupted at 1.30 p.m. as large number of AIADMK cadres squatted on C.N.A. Road. Shops and hotels on the road remained closed.

The Municipality, headed by chairman V. Sivaji Ganesan, recently adopted a resolution in favour of an additional bus stand for Vaniyambadi. Land was procured for Rs.18 lakh for the additional bus stand adjoining the Bypass Road.

However, various political parties including the AIADMK, the Congress and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) opposed the proposal saying that the site was 4 km away from Vaniyambadi. It was under this context that the AIADMK cadres observed a fast on Saturday opposing the municipality’s move.

Mr. Sengottaiyan said that vehicles which need not pass through C.N.A. Road could be diverted through Bypass Road. The existing bus stand on C.N.A. Road could be expanded to accommodate more buses.

Former MP Jayamohan (Congress) said that people had to spend at least Rs.50 for autorickshaw to reach the bus stand proposed adjoining the Bypass Road.

District organising secretary of the PMK A.C. Venkatesan said that his party was not opposed to expanding the existing bus stand or shifting it to a bigger place. But the issue was why should the land be acquired 4 km away from the town.