Residents demand relocation of three Tasmac outlets near CMC in Vellore

Residents of Kagithapattarai have demanded the relocation of three outlets of Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (Tasmac) located close to each other near the Women Nursing College of Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore, due to the public nuisance these outlets create in the area.

Residents said that the outlets are located at the intersection of Arcot Road and Kagithapattarai, off Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48). The stretch is a key bus route for local commuters and long-distance travellers. “Pedestrians, including students and senior citizens, are reluctant to walk on the stretch near the outlets due to tipplers loitering near the shops. Ambulances struggle to negotiate the stretch due to the parking of two-wheelers by the buyers near these shops,” said R. Priya, a resident.

Residents said that the outlets are located on a key stretch used by school vans, government buses, ambulances and two-wheelers. The stretch was also regularly used by the District Collector during inspections of infrastructure and civic works undertaken by the Corporation, State Highways, and the Water Resources Department within the civic body limits.

Residents said that there were several recent incidents near the outlets where inebriated people were caught attacking innocent people. Many times, drunk people were found lying on the carriageway of the stretches, affecting traffic movement. Drunk people also engage in petty fights with other residents in the area.

Against this backdrop, a group of residents in the area have written to the State government, including the Chief Minister’s grievance cell and the District Collector, highlighting the plight of ordinary citizens due to the public nuisance created by tipplers at these outlets every day. Also, the petition noted that the existing three outlets are located close to places of worship, including a local temple and mosque, and the Government Middle School on the stretch.

In May, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay directed authorities to shut down 717 Tasmac outlets located within 500 metres of places of worship, educational institutions, and bus stands across the State. Subsequently, identified outlets were closed. Tasmac officials said that, based on residents’ complaints, additional outlets are also being identified in the district. These identified outlets will be relocated to isolated places after assessing the safety of these shops in shortlisted spots.

At present, 385 outlets are located in Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur and Tivannamalai. Of this, Tiruvannamalai district has the highest number of 206 outlets, followed by Ranipet (83 outlets), Vellore (60 outlets) and Tirupattur (36 outlets). So far, 32 outlets have been permanently closed in these districts after Mr. Vijay’s order.