The AIADMK has to fulfil the dreams of the party founder MGR, who had proposed to make Tiruchy as second capital of the state, we would continue to put pressure on the Chief Minister and the government to work towards that goal, said State Tourism Minister Vellamandi N Natarajan in Tiruchy on Wednesday.
Tourism Minister Vellamandi N Natarajan
Thiruchirapalli:
“Tiruchy has all the qualities to become the second capital. The city’s geographic location, availability of all other facilities including international airport, rail link, industries and surplus water from the Cauvery, educational institutions and several other factors make it the right and ideal choice for the second capital,” Natarajan explained the reporters.
The tourism minister pointed out that the AIADMK founder and late Chief Minister MGR announced the decision to elevate Tiruchy as second capital in 1981, but he could not give it life due to sudden deterioration of his health. “MGR had devised the plan because of its geographical advantages. The Rock City can be easily reached from any corner of the state in a maximum travel time of six hours. Because it is centrally located, many people undertaking long journeys preferred to take break in Tiruchy and resume their trip,” Natarajan said.
The minister assured that he would take the demand to make Tiruchy as the second capital to the Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and the Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam and fulfil the dream of the party founder. Meanwhile, traders’ body in Tiruchy which convened a meeting on Tuesday, resolved to stress the demand to the government and even announced protests in support of ‘Tiruchy – second capital.’
Social activists claimed that if Madurai was made the second capital, as proposed by a few ministers, only southern districts would be benefited. At the same time, if Tiruchy was made the second capital, it would help not only the southern districts but also the Delta region as well. Moreover, tiruchy had all the infrastructure facilities required to be declared second capital.