Residents demand shifting of two TASMAC outlets at Kannankurichi

Salem North, an urbanised constituency in Salem district that is represented by Tourism Minister R. Rajendran, was created in 2008 after delimitation, including 22 wards of Salem Corporation (wards 6 to 16, 26 to 36) and the Kannankurichi town panchayat.

Mr. Rajendran won in 2016 and 2021 and the constituency is considered a DMK stronghold in the district. Out of three elections (after the formation of the constituency in 2008), the DMK won twice, and the DMDK won in 2011 while in the AIADMK alliance.

After September 2024, most of the roads dug for various works were newly relaid by the Corporation. Likewise, the wards that lacked sewage channels and stormwater drainage were provided with those facilities in the last one-and-a-half years. There is no major complaint by residents regarding road or sewage channels. Likewise, there are no drinking water supply issues in this constituency.

At the Kannankurichi town panchayat, most of the lands have been developed into housing plots in the last 15 years and people are willing to buy lands in this panchayat as it is situated near the foothills of Yercaud.

A. Subramani, a resident of Kannankurichi, said that in the last 15 years, the number of people moving to Kannankurichi has increased. However, many areas still lack proper sewage channels. The garbage generated is dumped in and around the Kannankurichi burial ground that has a temple and an upgraded primary health centre (PHC) nearby. Due to the dumping of waste, people visiting the PHC and the temple are unable to bear the foul smell.

Residents of Kannankurichi noted two TASMAC outlets functioning at the centre of the panchayat, with a government school, Kannankurichi police station, and Kannankurichi bus stand located close-by. People visiting the outlets consume liquor near the main road and during the evening, people are unable to pass the road due to the crowd at the TASMAC outlet. The residents have made several representations demanding to shift the outlets. Residents added that one outlet has been functioning for the past eight years and another one for the past six years, and demanded that the two outlets be shifted.

V. Madhu, a resident of Ponnammapet, said that due to the presence of two railway gates at Ponnammapet, the gates are closed four to five times per day. More than 30 buses have to pass this road. The government has already announced a flyover at Ponnammapet. But the work is yet to begin, he added.

The knowledge centre at Ayyanthirumalai, ongoing construction for Bharathidasan Arivulagam at ₹103.90 crore and other successful implementations of various government schemes will provide victory for the DMK, party functionaries said. Salem North constituency is given to the PMK under the AIADMK alliance. The PMK cadre claimed that the AIADMK government’s achievements in the past and the freebie announcements for 2026 Assembly elections will favour their victory. The NTK and TVK also believe the first-time voters and youth will ensure their victory.