Fishermen threaten legal action over proposed secretariat site in Chennai
The Mylapore Area All Fishing Villages Panchayat Sabha alleges the government does not own the Foreshore Estate land intended for the new complex.
Representatives of the fishing community threatened to take legal action on Thursday if the Tamil Nadu government proceeds with a proposed Assembly and secretariat complex at Foreshore Estate, according to The New Indian Express.
The Mylapore Area All Fishing Villages Panchayat Sabha alleged that the site was selected without a Detailed Project Report (DPR) or a feasibility study. The Sabha stated that the public works department replied to an information request by saying no such records exist.
Sabha coordinator G R Vijayan said the community has raised ownership concerns for years. He noted that while a previous DMK government had proposed a Marina Mall on the site and later dropped it, the fishermen were promised the land would be transferred to them via patta, a promise that was not kept.
Vijayan added that the current TVK government's proposal for the complex has caused fresh opposition. He also criticised Food Minister P Venkataramanan, alleging the Mylapore MLA had promised to address grievances before the polls but has not met the community since the new government was formed.
The representatives also expressed concern regarding the silence of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on the matter. They have demanded that the government hold a formal consultation meeting and send written invitations to all affected fishing villages.