Even as a section including leaders in the ruling party are contemplating the possibilities of making Tiruchy as the second capital of Tamil Nadu to decongest Chennai and develop other cities, Revenue, Disaster Management and Information Technology Minister RB Udhayakumar demanded that his stronghold Madurai should be made the second capital to ensure the growth of southern districts.

Revenue Minister RB Udhayakumar

Madurai:

During the meeting with the cadre of AIADMK’s Madurai Rural West district unit on Sunday, a resolution was adopted requesting Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to fulfil the demand.

Much to the delight of the cadre assembled there, the resolution was passed seeking to bring a new and more empowered status to Madurai.

Madurai has all necessary public infrastructure such as High Court bench, airport and also Thoothukudi seaport at a distance of about 150 km. Further, Madurai would also have state-of-the-art AIIMS Hospital in coming days, the Minister said.

Explaining further, he said, it was the dream of almost all people of the southern districts, hence Madurai should be made as the second capital of Tamil Nadu to benefit them.

Chennai, the capital city, has reached a saturation point in population growth. The resolution was put forth contemplating the future of the State, he said, adding that setting up the second capital would require about 10,000 acres of land to have an administrative set up, which could be acquired in rural areas in Madurai, he added.

Quoting other instances like Andhra Pradesh that has three capitals now, Gujarat, and even the South African model, the resolution said Madurai should also be considered as capital to provide the people of southern districts a platform for potential economic growth and a source of employment.