A controversy has erupted over a portion of the land, where the historical Modern Theatres once stood in Salem district. While its current owners on Friday claimed they were being pressured to transfer ownership of a part of the land where the entrance arch is located, Highways Minister E.V. Velu denied the charge and said the property belongs to his department.
In a statement, Mr. Velu said the government only wanted to preserve the old arch at the entrance of the premises, “which in fact is located on land owned by State Highways”. He said the government does not want to erect any statue there. Pointing out that the 8.9 acres, where the studios once was, had been converted to residential plots and commercial real estate plots, he said the arch stood at survey number eight of Kannankurichi village on Salem-Yercaud Highway. The government intended to widen this road.
Hence, officials from Revenue and State Highways Departments surveyed the land on December 2.
