Anbumani Ramadoss alleges massive scam in Pallikaranai marshland projects
The PMK president has called for Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to intervene regarding wetland protection and real estate interests.
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday alleged that a massive scam is occurring involving the Pallikaranai marshland. According to The Hindu, Ramadoss accused officials of trying to weaken protections for the wetland to benefit real estate developers.
The PMK leader questioned the construction of a road and pedestrian walkway within the marshland, which he said was funded by a ₹21.5-crore World Bank loan. He claimed a bund approximately 10 feet high was raised across the wetland and covered with tiles and polished granite.
Ramadoss noted that the Forest Minister reportedly stated the bund was only 1.5 feet high and urged the Minister to conduct an in-person verification. He said the structure could block water movement between wetland sections and warned that destroying the area could lead to floods worse than those in 2015.
The leader also alleged that the Tamil Nadu Wetland Authority, reconstituted in 2024, has not held any meetings since its reconstitution. He further claimed that officials are seeking to reduce the zone of influence (ZoI) from nearly 8,000 hectares to approximately 300 hectares through proceedings in the Madras High Court.
Ramadoss stated that the State has failed to notify wetlands despite directions issued by the Supreme Court in 2024 and July this year. He said the marshland has shrunk from 15,000 acres a century ago to about 2,000 acres today.
Accusing senior officials of misleading the government and courts, Ramadoss said that if the Chief Minister does not intervene, the issue could be viewed as the largest corruption case of his tenure.