Opposition to the Chennai Corporation’s Marina Loop Road upgradation project is gaining momentum with fishermen unions and environmental activists alleging violations in the manner in which clearance has been obtained for the plan.
The numerous fishing hamlets along the Chennai coast have decided to come together to intensify their agitation, the first phase of which was held in front of the Collectorate on Janurary 23.
In a letter submitted to the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA), which recently gave the green signal for the project, activists have alleged the application submitted by the Corporation is incomplete on multiple fronts.
Firstly, the Corporation had said in its application that there would be no permanent or temporary change in land use owing to the Rs. 47.5-crore project.
However, the detailed project report, a copy of which has been accessed by The Hindu , clearly indicates the intent of the project is to turn Loop Road, which is presently not used by many motorists, into a ‘viable route’ that will ease traffic flow on Santhome High Road (the stretch will connect Kamaraj Salai and Adyar).
“No land use plan is available or has been prepared, as part of the project submission, to serve as a basis to claim the project will not result in a change in land use,” the activists’ letter says.
Activists like Nityanand Jayaraman also claim the Corporation has failed to submit key documents such as a rapid environment impact assessment (EIA) report, a comprehensive EIA with cumulative studies on areas classified as low and medium eroding, and a disaster management report with a risk assessment and management plan.
Fisherman activist K. Saravanan says Loop Road was never intended to be a public thoroughfare. It was laid by the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board simply to enable fishermen to reach their homes.
The road is used for fishing-related activities and acts as a vital stretch that sustains their livelihood. “We want the project to be completely revisited,” says Mr. Saravanan.
However, Chennai Corporation officials say, “Work on a stormwater drain on Loop Road, connecting the area with Adyar Creek, is under way. It will reduce pollution in the neighbourhood. The road is already used by a large number of vehicles.”
(Additional reporting by Aloysius Xavier Lopez)
