: Even as it expressed support to the proposed port at Enayam in Kanniyakumari district, the State Government on Monday said that it was yet to receive the Detailed Project Report (DPR) from the Centre and would look into the issues raised by sections of local population.
Minor Ports Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami told the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly that the State Government had not received the DPR of the project from the Centre, and hence, could not say whether it would affect the locals. The Minister was responding to apprehensions raised by Congress MLA S. Rajesh Kumar (Killiyoor) that the project would affect the livelihood of the locals.
“To our information, the port would be set up with groynes and it would be commercial. But complete details would be known only after the DPR is made available to us,” Mr. Palaniswami said. However, Mr. Rajesh Kumar urged the State Government to oppose the project alleging that about 800 families in the area would be forced to relocate and traditional fishing activity near Enayam would be severely affected.
When the Congress MLA persisted with his opposition, the Minister said, “It’s a big project for the State and it will lead to employment opportunities for thousands of people; it would also lead to development of the area. I request you not to stall the project with your opinions.”
DMK legislator T. Mano Thangaraj (Padmanabhapuram) too joined the Congress MLA in opposing the project contending the project was originally sought for in Colachel but was sanctioned at Enayam. The port was not suitable for the area (Enayam), he added.
