Bodinayakanur bypass work started sans our knowledge, say locals
Officials for the state highways department (project wing) proposed the construction of a bypass road between Anaikaraipatti Vilakku and Dharmathupatti at a cost of Rs 36 crore, and for this project, they summoned nearly 120 landowners for land acquisition in Bodinayakanur, Melachokkanathapuram, and Meenakshipuram. However, the land acquisition for this is not complete, and over 100 landowners are yet to receive compensation, sources said. Meanwhile, the department commenced its work on February 17 by doing a bhoomi puja. TNIE also had carried a report, 'Bypass work starts sans paying compensation, landowners in a spot,' on March 1 on the allegations.
A Ramkrishnan of Melachokkanathapuram said, "Though other landowners and I were summoned by the DRO for land acquisition in 2023, February 12, 2025, and on March 24, 2025, the official did not turn up. Meanwhile, the state highways department completed around one kilometre of project work in Anaikaraipatti Vilakku."
He added, "Officials from the state highways department later came to my agricultural land, removed the boundary stones, and started constructing a box culvert without my permission. Some of the villagers and I staged a protest and temporarily stopped the work. Later, when I sought information about the project through an RTI, the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the department concerned refused to answer. When I later met the DRO personally and questioned him on how they could acquire my land without my permission, he said that their department has the right to acquire the land once the information on land acquisition is published in the newspaper."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
10 minutes ago
- Time of India
Govt nominees on Hindustan Zinc board may quiz management on Vedanta tomorrow
New Delhi: Government nominees on the Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) board will likely quiz the management on the company's dealings with its promoter Vedanta Ltd and other related parties at the next board meeting on July 17, people aware of the development said. The government had a 27.92% stake in HZL while Anil Agarwal-controlled Vedanta Ltd held 61.84% as of June 30. "The idea (behind asking fresh questions to the HZL management) is not to doubt the company's financial position or cast aspersions but to be reassured of its corporate governance practices and other financial and operational aspects," one of the persons cited above told ET. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Exclusive McAfee Discount Ends Soon McAfee Shop Now The move comes in the aftermath of short-seller Viceroy Research accusing Vedanta's parent entity Vedanta Resources this month of being a "parasite" running a "ponzi scheme" that has "pushed the entire group to the brink of insolvency." Vedanta has called the claims a "false propaganda" based on information already available in the public domain and asserted that "the authors have tried to sensationalise the context to profiteer from market reaction." Live Events The US-based short-seller has also questioned HZL's payment of about Rs 1,560 crore in "brand and strategic services" fees to Vedanta, adding that this was without commercial justification. In response to ET's queries, an HZL spokesperson said "'Vedanta' is a prominent global brand in the natural resources sector and the brand is a registered intellectual property of Vedanta Resources. Vedanta Ltd, HZL and other group companies use the brand under a brand license/sub-license agreement and pay a board-approved brand and strategic services fee for its usage." "This structure reflects a standard intercompany licensing model used globally by diversified groups and is fully compliant with Indian accounting, tax and governance regulations, and follows internationally accepted practices," the spokesperson added. Asked if the company intends to explain its stance on the Viceroy Research report to the government nominees in the July 17 board meeting, the spokesperson said as a policy, the company "does not disclose the agenda or discussion points of upcoming board meetings." "Outcomes of such meetings, as required, will be communicated through appropriate channels post conclusion." Another person said nominees of minority shareholders asking questions at a company's board meeting on emerging issues is a legitimate practice and "there is no reason why the government wouldn't do that." The HZL board has three government nominated directors.
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
4 held for thefts, items worth 13.5L recovered
Ahmedabad: Four persons were arrested on Tuesday by a Sola High Court police surveillance team in connection with a series of burglaries, and stolen items worth Rs 13.5 lakh recovered from them. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The arrests come after a spate of burglaries reported at Sola High Court and Naroda police stations. A team patrolling near Chandlodia railway crossing received a tip-off, leading to the arrests. The team recovered luxury watches valued at Rs 12 lakh, cash amounting to Rs 1.5 lakh, and tools suspected to be used in the break-ins. They accused have been identified as Pawan Bhuvan, Sachin Dharam, Purshottam Bheema, and Sagar Harisingh, all residents of Madhya Pradesh's Guna district. Two other accused, Ramlal and Karan, are absconding, police said. Police said that during questioning, the accused admitted to committing burglaries in Chandlodia's Gopinathnagar, Naroda's Surthansh Villa, and Gota's Patel Vas. They reportedly used hydraulic cutters to break window grills, entered the houses at night, and stole valuables including cash, jewellery, and watches. Police added that the group would conduct reconnaissance during daytime to identify potential targets and commit thefts at night. After the thefts, stolen items were allegedly sold outside the state, and the proceeds were distributed among the accused. The group frequently changed locations to avoid arrest. Cases have been registered the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Sola High Court and Naroda police stations. Police have identified additional suspects and launched efforts to apprehend them.
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
2 SUVs with illicit liquor impounded
Bhopal: Two SUVs carrying large consignments of illicit liquor were impounded by Nazirabad and Kotwali police in two seperate cases. While one suspect managed to escape, another was arrested and booked under the Excise Act. Nazirabad police acted on a tip-off about a white SUV parked near Gujar Todi-Jod Naysamand, suspected of carrying illegal liquor meant for supply. The driver fled towards nearby fields upon seeing the police. Upon searching the vehicle, the team found illegal liquor worth Rs70,000. The SUV itself, estimated to be worth Rs 10 lakh, was also impounded. Police are tracing the SUV's owner through the vehicle's registration number. In a separate incident, Kotwali police intercepted a luxury SUV near Peer Gate in the early hours of Monday. Based on specific inputs, they set up a checkpoint and apprehended the SUV. The driver was identified as Shubham Vanshkar. During a search of the vehicle, the police confisticated liquor valued at around Rs 1.25 lakh. The liquor and the SUV were both seized, and the accused was arrested.
