DAWSON PRABHU
MADURAI, SEPT 27
Despite Tamil Nadu Government ruling out any plans to declare the second capital, expectations among the industrialists, business bodies, and politicians in parts of southern districts bat for Madurai.
The recent move from Minister for Revenue, Disaster Management and Information Technology, RB Udhayakumar requesting Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to declare Madurai as the ‘second capital’ of the state, has kindled the dreams and aspirations of people at large in Madurai and other districts in the southern region as it could pave the way for more industrial facilities to guarantee job creation, many feels.
Better rail, air, and port connectivity make Madurai a better choice
Welcoming the move, S Rethinavelu, Senior President, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Madurai, said the much-awaited status would also offer a platform for a new economic reality to bring it to fruition. The sordid reality is that the level of industrial growth is not consistent across Tamil Nadu. Referring to the overall industrial scenario, he said while opportunities abound in the state’s northern and central region industrial sector, the southern region is yet to witness such developments to cater to those seeking employment.
With all facilities such as BHEL and Golden Rock Railway workshop in Ponmalai with over 300 ancillary units relying upon, Ordnance factory, Steel Rolling Mills and Refineries, and chemical plant, Trichy heading the central region, emerges to be an industrial hub known for its abundance of jobs. However, it’s not the same in the southern districts, and much to its dismay, no way in sight out of the vicious circle of industrial decline. Therefore, if the coveted status was achieved and Madurai bestowed with the title of ‘second capital’, it would certainly attract industrial investments with adequate infrastructure in southern districts to boost the industrial economy, Rethinavel told navjeevanexpress.com on Sunday.
According to Meda A Balan, General Secretary, Dindigul Chamber of Commerce, the south Tamil Nadu is below par in terms of economic development. Citing all infrastructure facilities that provide connectivity by means of road, rail, air, and sea, he said the southern region has all potential to attract investments to facilitate employment growth. With chunks of bare soil and the state gives a go-ahead signal for Madurai as the capital city next to Chennai, potential infrastructure projects could be a reality in a 200-kilometre radius in the southern outskirts. Moreover, the Centre should also accord priority to southern districts and invest at least a few of its projects for the benefit of people
K Nehruprakash, president, Thoothukudi District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association (THUDITSSIA), said if Madurai was made the second capital, stakeholders relying on industrial production need not make a long trip up to Chennai for getting project clearances.
Citing the presence of historically significant Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple, which stands tall in the heart of the city, the 17th century Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, a monumental avenue, and other significant avenues, J Devadoss, a resident from Kovilpatti, said Madurai emerges to be the symbol of pride as well as national heritage.
Madurai Bench of Madras High Court
Madurai emerging as the second health capital of Tamil Nadu with host of multi-specialty hospitals was given due prominence by the governments. Keeping in view, the hardship of people living in Southern tip of the country to visit Chennai often for Litigation, the government established Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court Bench with 13 districts in down south as its jurisdiction. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court was inaugurated in July 2004. Apart from this, the city has an International Airport operating direct flights from several countries.
Further, Madurai, otherwise known as ‘Thoonga Nagaram’-the city that never sleeps, would witness the much-awaited AIIMS Hospital. Highlighting all these factors, the Minister sought the government to declare Madurai as the second capital soon. Though the Chief Minister recently said the government has no such plans, people of southern districts are waiting with fingers crossed to see whether the move pays off.
Meanwhile, a ruling-party MP hailing from a southern district told navjeevanexpress.com on condition of anonymity that he is planning to claim bifurcation of state into two on the lines of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh with Madurai as its Capital city covering entire Southern districts with the help of people’s movement.
(Author is a Madurai-based Freelance writer)
