Residents demand closure of TASMAC outlets near Girivalam trail, schools in Tiruvannamalai, Vellore

Residents said there have been several recent incidents where drunken people from nearby TASMAC outlets were caught attacking innocent people.

Residents including women and traders and Arunachaleswara temple devotees in Tiruvannamalai and Vellore are demanding permanent closure of existing Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) outlets near Girivalam trail and schools due to public disturbance.

Residents said the existing TASMAC facility at the Kamaraj statue near the 14-km long Girivalam trail in Tiruvannamalai town has been functioning for many years despite objections from local residents and devotees from neighboring districts and states. “Such TASMAC outlets should be located on the outskirts of Tiruvannamalai, the temple town. The District Collector should ensure that the outlet is immediately shifted away from the city,” said B. Vasanthi, a resident.

The demand to close the outlet especially near the Girivalam trail comes after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay directed the authorities to close 717 TASMAC liquor outlets located within 500 meters of places of worship, educational institutions and bus stands across the state within two weeks.

Residents said that many devotees, who are mostly women and senior citizens, come from distant places to worship at the Arunachaleswara temple. They also ensure that they cover the Girivalam trail during their visit. According to estimates, on an average, the city witnesses at least 40,000 visitors during weekdays, while the number of visitors increases to around 1.5 million on weekends and holidays.

Most devotees prefer to travel around the city on foot. The existing TASMAC outlet near the Kamaraj statue allows them to take a detour of at least one kilometer on the Girivalam road. They are also worried about using the stretch near the outlet due to public nuisance from tippers who sleep on the footpath along the stretch.

In Vengaikaal village near the Tiruvannamalai Collectorate office, a TASMAC outlet near a private higher secondary school has been operating for more than a decade. Residents and parents demand the store be relocated.

Neighboring districts of Vellore – Ranipet, Tirivalam, a border village, closed the TASMAC outlet in Mettupalayam village on May 13 as part of the nationwide closure of such shops near schools.

As a result, residents said the outlet in Kugaiyanallore village has been crowded with tippers for the past few days. Students, teachers and working women have to use EB Koot Road in Kugaiyanallore, where the outlet is located, has been using the stretch for many years to go to government schools and industrial units. Residents pushed for the store to be relocated to prevent overcrowding of tippers in the area.

Angry residents said there have been several recent incidents in the area where drunken people from nearby TASMAC outlets were caught attacking innocent people. Many times, drunk people were found on the section, affecting the traffic on the route. Drunk people also get into small fights with locals in the area.

Published – 17 May 2026 19:13 IST