If voted to power, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), will trifurcate Vellore, a large district which has a population of nearly 36 lakhs, said the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate Anbumani Ramadoss. The three districts will be Tirupattur, Vellore and Arakkonam, he said.
“From one end to the other the district extends to 200 km. It is difficult for people to travel from place to another,” he said. He was interacting with residents of Vellore as part of his “Ungal Oor Ungal Anbumani” campaign on Thursday.
There are only three check dams on the Palar river, which runs for nearly 221 kms in Tamil Nadu, he said, adding, “We will take steps to construct a check dam for every five kms on Palar river, and all rivers in the State. This will help to rejuvenate the ground water level.”
Steps to curb sand mining from Palar river will be taken, he assured. The party would ensure that tanneries adopted modern technology to prevent disposal of effluents.
Apart from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore, similar universities will be established at three more places – Vellore, Tirunelveli and Thanjavur, he said. “Government agricultural colleges will be set up at Tirupattur and Arakkonam,” he added.
Special agro-economic zones will come up at Tirupattur and Arakkonam, he said. Noting that a number of railway projects were pending in Vellore, Mr. Ramadoss said, “We will take steps to implement these projects. We will also take steps to establish railway line from Jolarpet to Krishnagiri and Hosur via Bargur.”
Apart from these, he promised to establish government law colleges at Tirupattur and Arakkonam, and an IT park in Vellore.
No need for alliance
Later, he told reporters that PMK does not need any alliance to face the May 16 Assembly elections. “As on date, we are confident of winning in 150 constituencies, and there are 40 more days before the State goes to polls. Only parties that have lost their strengths are bargaining to form alliances,” he said. He also said that the party will announce its candidates’ list soon. “I have received applications from many youngsters”.
He doubted that the elections would be conducted in a fair manner, and hence, the party has been registering their complaints to the Election Commission.
