Public Works minister AV Velu has given an explanation regarding the issue of salem Modern Theatres. When tamil Nadu chief minister Stalin visited salem last February, he enjoyed taking a selfie near the entrance of Modern Theatres. Modern theaters, which attracted everyone's attention then, have now become a talking point in political circles. A warning banner has been put up at the decorative arch at the entrance of Modern Theaters stating that the place belongs to the Highways Department. Inside the entrance gate, the highway department has planted a scale stone. The owner of the land, Vijayavarman, has accused the district authorities of putting pressure on him as the information regarding this has gone viral on social media, claiming that he needs space to put the statue of late former chief minister Karunanidhi. He also said that he has documents that the land belongs to him.
Also, when he came to salem, chief minister Stalin expressed his happiness for maintaining the entrance gate of Modern Theaters and asked if he could give the place if he wished. But, he politely said that there is nothing mandatory. I replied that I would inform the family after consulting them. However, Vijayavarman also accused the district administration of giving pressure. In this situation, Public Works minister AV Velu has given an explanation regarding the issue of salem Modern Theatres. He has said in a statement that: "There have been reports in the press that the government is asking for the place and forcing them to erect a statue at the entrance of the Modern Theaters, which was previously operating in Salem.
The 8.9 acres of land on which this company was operating is currently being converted and used as flats and commercial areas. The entrance curve of this area is at survey No.8 of Kannangurichi village on the Salem-Yerchadu highway.
As this road is proposed to be widened, a survey has been conducted on 2.12.2023 by the Revenue and Highways Officers to determine the boundaries of the Highways lands. During this survey, it was found that the entrance arch of Modern Theaters is completely on Highway Department land. Boundary stones have been planted to demarcate the boundaries of the highway so that no property is affected, as shown in the government land picture. While the entrance arch of Modern Theaters has been found to be completely located on the land of the Highways Department, the government has no plans to carry out any other construction work or install statues in this area, on the basis that the government's objective is to preserve and maintain this ancient entrance arch. Therefore, it is clarified that all the information that may come out to compel the government to ask for a place other than this highway department place is wrong.” minister AV Velu has given an explanation.
Former Chief Ministers Karunanidhi, mgr and others have worked in the Modern Theaters Studio, which was started in 1935 by film artist TR Sundaram on the Salem-Yerchadu road. After the death of DR Sundaram, Verma Construction Company bought the place and built and sold houses. At present only the entrance arch of Modern Theaters and a small space inside it remain as its memory.
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