Mon Feb 17 16:04:11 UTC 2025: ## Madurai Villagers Protest Proposed SIPCOT Industrial Park
**Madurai, February 17, 2025** – Residents of 18 villages in Melur taluk, Madurai district, have petitioned the Collector, M.S. Sangeetha, opposing the establishment of a SIPCOT industrial park in Vanji Nagaram panchayat. The petitioners argue that the proposed site, a large plain crucial for cattle grazing, is vital to the livelihoods of hundreds of families who depend on livestock rearing. They claim the land serves as pasture for villagers from several surrounding areas including Kallangadu, Nagappansivalpatti, and others.
The petition further highlights the presence of a historic Pandian-era temple in the area, which attracts significant crowds, especially during Mahasivaratri. The villagers fear the industrial park will disrupt both their traditional way of life and the cultural significance of the temple. The State government’s initiatives to promote cattle raising through subsidized cows are also cited as evidence of the importance of the grazing land. The petitioners are urging authorities to reconsider the location of the SIPCOT project to avoid irreparable damage to the community and its heritage.
First Piper 