Chennai, Sept 11:
Residents of 12 fishing villages have decided to launch a protest against the Tamil Nadu Government’s proposal to construct a new Secretariat complex at Pattinapakkam in Chennai.
The government has officially announced plans to construct the new Secretariat on 25 acres at Pattinapakkam. Political leaders and fishermen’s organisations have opposed the proposal, arguing that the project would affect the traditional livelihood and way of life of fishing communities in the area.
Fishermen’s organisations have also raised concerns over the proposed construction in a coastal area where turtles are known to lay eggs. They said there were court directions against construction in such turtle nesting areas and questioned the decision to select Pattinapakkam for the project.
Bharathi, one of the coordinators of the Mylapore area fishermen’s village councils, said the land identified for the Secretariat had traditionally belonged to the fishing community and was being used as coastal land. He said the government should instead provide housing for fishermen and return their traditional land.
He said the construction of the Secretariat could restrict the movement of fishermen and affect their ability to go to sea for fishing. He also expressed concern that barricades and security arrangements around the new Secretariat could further restrict access to the area.
The fishermen said the Mullikuppam, Mullimangarkuppam, Pattinapakkam, Srinivasapuram, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Bhavani Kuppam, Irudhayapuram, Selvarajapuram, Dooming Kuppam and Nochikuppam areas, among others, would be directly affected by the project.
More than 1,500 fishing families in and around Mullikuppam could be affected, particularly as the coastal land is used for parking boats and repairing and drying fishing nets.
The fishermen said they had been seeking housing on their traditional land since 2023 and alleged that assurances given before the elections had not been fulfilled.
A consultation meeting of representatives from the 12 fishing villages will be held at Pattinapakkam on September 15 to discuss the issue and decide on the next course of action. The fishermen’s organisations have indicated that they are prepared to intensify their protest against the proposed Secretariat.