New ROB, fruit pulp factory, desilting of water bodies in Tirupattur required: IUML MLA

Key demands of Tirupattur residents are a new Rail Over Bridge (ROB) that will replace the existing manned railway level crossing (LC 81) near the railway station in Vaniyambadi town, a fruit pulp factory, and desilting of water bodies, said Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) Legislative Party Leader and MLA for Vaniyambadi Assembly constituency, S.S.P. Syed Farooq Basha.

Mr. Basha highlighted the needs of residents in districts, including his home constituency during the motion of thanks to Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s address in the State Legislative Assembly. “A ROB in Vaniyambadi town has remained a long-standing demand of residents in the region as the facility will provide easy access to 31 surrounding villages to reach other areas. The State government should take immediate steps for a new bridge,” he said.

At present, the railway level crossing divides Vaniyambadi into Old Town in the east and New Town in the west. The Old Town is a thickly populated residential settlement with three colleges, bus stops and the municipality.

New Town, which is closer to the Chennai - Bengaluru Highway (NH 48), has almost all essential public facilities. Residents have to wait at the level crossing before getting access to these facilities, including the government taluk hospital and the banks.

Motorists take a detour of at least five km to reach these facilities. Ambulances also have to wait to shift the sick to the government taluk hospital, which is around 500 metres from the railway station.

Another major demand of residents, mostly farmers, was setting up a fruit pulp factory in the region. Areas like Tirupattur, Jolarpet, Kandali, Alangayam are known for mango groves. Mr. Basha said that government land in Kumarakuppu village, which was acquired in 1977 to set up a sandalwood factory, could be utilized to set up a fruit pulp factory.

Being an arid region, Tirupattur district faces water shortage during summer. Desilting of key water bodies, including Udayendiram, Nagaleri, Rama Naicken Pettai, and Goyindapuram could help store excess rainwater during monsoon and help recharge groundwater in its vicinity, he said.

The MLA also requested for digging a pond for Azhagu Perumal temple in Periyapet in Vaniyambadi, as part of water conservation efforts. A total of 1.5 acres of temple land could be utilized for the purpose, he said.