Survey team to assess ground reality to acquire land for SIPCOT expansion project: Minister

Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna at a consultation meeting with farmers, environmental activists, elected representatives and residents in Melma village on Friday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna said a fact-finding team led by the District Collector will assess the ground realities to acquire land for the proposed Phase 3 expansion of the SIPCOT complex near Cheyyar town in Tiruvannamalai.

The minister was speaking at a consultative meeting with stakeholders including farmers, environmental activists, elected representatives and residents in Melma village, one of the affected villages under the proposed project. “The inquiry team will study the ground realities related to the project and submit its report to the state government. Farmers’ rights and livelihood will be protected at all times,” he said.

Accompanied by collector Vandhana Garga and environmental activist Arul Arumugam, Mr. Arjuna emphasized the need for co-existence of industrial development and agricultural activities and said the necessary land would be acquired for the project without affecting the livelihood of farmers in the region. “The state government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will take a sympathetic view of cases registered against protesting farmers under the project. Withdrawal of cases against farmers will also be considered,” he said.

The farmers said that the state government should consider utilizing the more than 1,000 acres of land that had been acquired for I and II. phase of the SIPCOT project many years ago, to be used for expansion in III. “Arable land in the region should not be acquired for industrial development. An alternative arrangement should be explored to support industrial activity,” said B. Esaki, a farmer.

According to the plan, 3,174 acres of land will be acquired from nine agricultural villages – Melma, Narmapallam, Kurumbur, Thethurai, Nedungal, Athi, Vada Alapirandan, Veerapakkam and Lianeerkundram – for the Phase 3 project.

Revenue officials said that as per the government order, the state government has fixed ₹18 crore per acre of land as compensation. Separate compensation for property such as trees, agricultural wells and buildings on the acquired land will be added to the total compensation for the beneficiary.

Published – 13 Jun 2026 23:46 IST