Dhruvi Modi

While the people of Tamil Nadu are still recovering from the announcement of the Chennai-Salem expressway, another controversial Greenfield project of an expressway between Thatchur, which is near Chennai and Chittoor (Andhra Pradesh), might be in the works. Around 19,581 trees are going to be axed to make way for NH-716B, the 126.5 km six-lane highway connecting the Chennai-Kurnool economic corridor. 

A draft environment impact assessment report released by the government states that the proposed road alignment passes through the Pulikondram reserve forest in Thiruvallur for 700 metres. Of the 884.26 hectares of land to be acquired if the project sees the light of the day, 12% of it is forest land, 5% water bodies, 76% agricultural land, 6% barren lands, and 1% settlements. 

This project, like the Chennai-Salem expressway, has also received major backlash from the people. Representatives from 26 villages in Thiruvallur have united under the ‘Thiruvallur District Farmers and Labourers Co-ordination Committee’ (TDFLCC). 

V M Parathasarathy, a member of this committee said, “The agricultural land to be acquired is fertile and the project will affect the livelihood of many farmers. We have petitioned the Chief Minister, the Collector, National Highways Authority of India, and various other political heads since the land acquisition notices were issued 8 months ago.”

The draft report noted that there are 24 rivers and 21 ponds in the crossings in the proposed road project. “Provision of bridges will be considered for the 24 streams lying along the project alignment. The 21 ponds will be enhanced with proper mitigation methods.” The farmers conducted a survey and found that several of these water bodies will flood if the project is initiated. 

The report also claimed that the development of this corridor will decongest Chennai city traffic and also enhance the environment. “There will be higher potential for development in this area due to improvement in access and consequent increase in economic activity,” it stated.