The Madras High Court on Monday quashed the land acquisition proceedings for the controversial eight-way lane between Chennai and Salem. Farmers in five districts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Salem were up in arms against the Rs 7,500 crore project that would have cut through farmlands and ecologically-sensitive forest area.
Despite vociferous opposition from farmers, the NHAI and district administration's went ahead with acquiring land often by coercing farmers. The protests triggered tense moments in many areas with several farmers attempting self-immolation.
