Six TASMAC outlets in Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupattur will be relocated following a petition by residents to the Collector

A Tasmac outlet on the service lane near the Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway in Vellore. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The District Collector of Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupattur has ordered officials of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (Tasmac) to relocate six outlets after residents complained of public nuisance arising from the outlets.

Tasmac officials said the two outlets are located at Kagithapattarai near the Office of the Collectorate, which falls under the Vellore Corporation. They are located on the service lane of the Chennai – Bengaluru Highway (NH 48).

The stretch has also become prone to accidents due to the movement of tippers during rush hours. “The plan to relocate these shops is a welcome measure. It is difficult for residents, including students and office goers, to use the stretches where these shops are located,” said G. Bindu, a resident.

Other outlets earmarked for relocation are operational at Tiruvalam village near Katpadi at EB Road junction, one at Oddapatti village near Jolarpet town in Tirupattur and one at Ambur – Pernambut main road.

In Ranipet, the existing outlet at Palari village near Walajah town will also be relocated.

After a consultative meeting with the local police and finance officials on alternative accommodation of the designated establishments by the District Collector, these establishments will be shifted. The paperwork for the move has begun. “Identification of rented accommodation for these outlets in isolated areas is underway for their permanent relocation. The relocation of the outlets will be completed in a month,” S. Sathiyam Ram, District Manager of Tasmac (Vellore) told The Hindu.

Currently, these districts together have a total of 385 outlets, across industrial towns like Ranipet, Vaniyambadi and Ambur and agricultural areas like Cheyyar, Arani and Kalasapakkam in Tiruvannamalai. Of these, Tiruvannamalai district has the highest number of outlets (206), followed by Ranipet (83), Vellore (60) and Tirupattur (36).

Residents said the six shops identified are closed to thoroughfares, schools and government offices where people move regularly. They said there have been several recent incidents near the shops where intoxicated persons were caught in petty fights with other residents.

They also said that drunken people were found on the road, affecting traffic on the route, especially along the Chennai – Bengaluru Highway service lane at Kagithapattarai in Vellore.

Published – 16 Jun 2026 23:50 IST