Compulsary acquisition of land by TN government from Manapakkam area is nothing different from day light robbery. People from middle class families have invested their life time savings in getting a plot and house in this area after following all government proceedures. Since government was unable to acquire land from the originally marked areas of Pozhichalur etc because of intense pressure from local population as well as some political partners, government suddenly changed tacks and went all out against those inhabiting manapakkam area. Manapakka was perceived as a soft target by TN government as the residents are from diverse strata of society and of all india services.
Airport authorities, till May 2007, were not interested in manapakkam land because of the soft soil and interfering adyar river. Suddenly they found it suitable. This phenomenon is also not explainable.
Will Chennai airport authorities be happy after this acuisition. What are their plans for future, say the next 15 -25 years. Are they having any vision for the future. Definitely this place will then become inadequate and they will again have to start afresh from scratch. Why can't start that exercise today itself, instead of succumbing to short term gains and other pressures.
