Representatives of a few fishing hamlets, over which the proposed elevated expressway from Lighthouse to Kottivakkam will pass, have demanded that the Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) of the project be scrapped.
Addressing reporters after a meeting on Friday, heads of the villages complained that they were not consulted at any point as stated in the DFR. The fishermen from four fishing villages named in the report said they had sent a complaint to the Highways Department and Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi.
K. Saravanan from Urur Kuppam said, “We want the DFR scrapped and redone after proper consultations with fishermen.
The Rs.1,000-crore project would affect the lives of people in 16 fishing villages along the coast.”
The Urur Kuppam Panchayat Mahasabha, on behalf of 10 fishing villages along the coast, had, a few months ago, submitted a petition to the government to drop the project as it would displace fishermen, affect their livelihood and disturb ecology.
Forums such as the Reclaim Our Beaches and the Save Chennai Beaches expressed solidarity with the fishermen.
