MADURAI: A near total bandh-like situation prevailed in Madurai, Theni, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Dindigul on Thursday, with most commercial establishments remaining closed, protesting against Kerala government’s insistence on building a new dam and refusal to comply with the Supreme Court directive on increasing storage level at Mullaiperiyar.Barring odd tea shops and medical stores, most business establishments in Madurai district remained closed. Organisations, including Periyar Irrigation Farmers Association, TN Food Products Merchants Association, Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA), Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu, Vanigar Sangangalin Peravai and TN Chamber of Commerce and Industries, had called for a closure of all establishments. In an unprecedented response to the call and show of unity, almost all the commercial establishments in Madurai city downed shutters. The East Masi Street in the city which is one of the main business hubs wore a deserted look. While the business activities stood still, there was hardly any traffic in the business area of the city except the TNSTC buses plying along the roads. There were a few autos on the roads, with many auto drivers’ associations joining the agitation. Since the hotels remained closed, the tourists and the devotees found it difficult to get food. Members of many organisations observed fast at various places of the city. At MADITSSIA hall, members of 52 organisations observed a fast. It is estimated that the trading establishments suffered a loss of over Rs 250 crore in the city alone due to the closure.Thousands of members of the Periyar Irrigation Area Farmers Association took out a rally in the city reiterating their demand to increase the water storage level in the Mullaiperiyar dam and condemning the government of Kerala and the Union government for the impasse.In Theni, all business establishments, including hotels, remained closed. Even the pavement hawkers and vendors had closed shop lending support to the agitation. Only a limited number of buses, autos and private vehicles were seen on the roads. The streets in towns wore a deserted look. In Sivaganga district, the bandh was total with all shops closed. The Sivaganga Traders Association, Association of Car, Van, Auto and Lorry Owners and Drivers, Loadmen’s Association and other organisations organised a meeting. In Ramanathapuram, the auto drivers and owners observed a fast near the new bus stand on Thursday. Similar agitations were also held in Erwadi and Naripaiyur, where a large number of auto drivers and owners observed a token fast. Similarly, in Dindigul distruct, normal life was affected as there was total closure of shops and other establishments. Autos and lorries were off the roads. Members of traders associations observed a fast on Tiruchy road. Following a call by Hotel Owners Association in Kodaikanal, all hotels and trading establishments remained closed in the hill resort. All shops and trading establishments remained closed in Srivilliputhur and Sivakasi while the shops in Rajapalayam bus stand also remained closed.
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