Traders and residents observe fast in Tiruvarur

TIRUVARUR: Members of traders' associations, voluntary organisations and various political parties observed a fast here on Tuesday urging the Government to implement the four-way national highway project between Thanjavur and Nagapattinam in an alternative route.

T. Velayudhan, president, Vilamal Traders' Association, inaugurated the fast. Pirai Arivalagan, president of Consumers Protection Council, G. Ramakrishnan of CPI (M), representatives from the DMK, the AIADMK, the CPI, the CPI (M)), the MDMK, the DK, voluntary organisations like Rotary Clubs participated in the fast.

According to Mr. Velayudhan, the four-way national highway by-passes Ammapettai, Needamangalam, Saliyamangalam, Koradachery, Ammaiyappan, Adiyakkamangalam, Sikkal, Anthanapettai between Thanjavur and Nagapattinam.

In Tiruvarur, alone it enters the town in the present route. Because of this route, huts, houses and shops on Vilamal, Vanmeegapuram, Valavaikkal, Kidarankondan, Thandalai, Bazaar Road would be affected. Many hut dwellers, who were on temple lands, would be evacuated.