Chennai: In a debate in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly yesterday, BJP MLA Nainar Nagendran proposed that the state capital be shifted from Chennai to Trichy.During the discussion, Nainar Nagendran argued that Chennai faces severe congestion, while Trichy has the advantage of the Cauvery River, ensuring a steady water supply. He also recalled that former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) had once considered shifting the capital to Trichy.
He further urged the Tamil Nadu government to reconsider property tax and electricity tariff hikes that burden the public. Additionally, he suggested linking the Papanasam and Manimutharu dams through an underground tunnel, which would greatly benefit the people of Tirunelveli district.
In response, Speaker M. Appavu stated that the proposal for linking the dams was already under government review, but it required approval from the Forest Department.
He also noted that Tamil Nadu has been allotted nine Vande Bharat trains, making it possible to reach Trichy from any part of the state within three hours. Commenting on the capital relocation idea, he humorously questioned what Chennai MLA Parandhaman would say about such a move.
When Nagendran remarked that India’s capital could also be moved from Delhi to Chennai, Appavu quipped that such a move was highly unlikely.
Nagendran responded that shifting the capital might be possible in the future and suggested conducting a trial winter assembly session in Trichy to assess the feasibility of decentralizing governance.