Trichy As Capital

Muslim Murasu, November 2012

25000 was Chennai population in its initial days. Today it reaches one crore. Tamilnadu stretches 750 km to the south of Chennai. Chennai got a new life in 1640 when St George Fort became power center. A city of 178 sq km is congested to suffocating limits with population density of 30000. Trichy district is spread over 4400 sq km with population density of 600. It has perennial rivers Cauvery and Kollidam and numerous tributaries and canals. Trichy population is 30 lakh currently, equal to that of Kuwait. 85 percent are educated. It is a peaceful region.
Trichy Uraiyur was capital of Chola dynasty even 2300 years earlier. Kalappirar, Pallavar, Pandiyar, Nayakkar, Nawab, British, each have fought for the wealth and domination of Trichy. Trichy district was formed in 1801. River Coovum and Buckingham canal in Chennai were once sources of good water. Now they are in utter ruins. Chennai city was formed after decimating 150 lakes.
Chennai city cannot hold any new population inflow. Public hygiene, road conditions, rainwater drainage, drinking water facility, sewage are in tatters. Political demons should show at least little mercy on people of Chennai.
Trichy should be transformed urgently as capital of Tamilnadu. Honorable MGR announced the scheme. Political rivals opposed it saying it will cost 700 crore rupees. Compare this with 750 crore rupees wasted only for Veeranam drinking water project.
River Cauvery is supplying drinking water to eight districts. When Trichy becomes capital, prosperity will spread in its surrounding districts Perambalur, Karoor, Tanjavur, Pudukottai, Dindugal, Viluppuram. Political power will diffuse.
Chennai is restricted with ocean to its east and Andhra to its north. Real estate scandal reaches tragic levels. One square feet costs 4000 rupees. Politicians and middlemen should not be continually allowed to plunder Chennai. Multinational capitalists from Secundrabad, Sri Perumbudur and Old Mahabalipuram gave it new shape. Only government nod is required. Trichy can transform and glow like New Delhi within few months. Chennai residents will feel relieved.