Fishermen object to more land being allocated for police station

The additional 7,500 sq. ft is required for a community hall, say residents

CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU, 22/08/2017: The D5 Marina police station which is going to be demolished. Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

Residents of the Nochikuppam fishing hamlet are objecting to the Marina police station coming up on over 9,000 sq ft of land traditionally belonging to their village.

The station building had utilised around 1,500 sq ft when it was there earlier. The building has been demolished for reconstruction and the station is currently functioning from a temporary structure on Kamaraj Salai.

Fishermen said they cannot part with additional land since it was required for constructing a community hall. “We objected to the police station coming up in our village in the first place. Since it has moved elsewhere now, it might as well be located in that place permanently,” pointed out Maran, a resident.

Residents said the hall was a necessity since they have nowhere else to conduct functions at nominal rates. “Our hall was taken over by an Amma unavagam and the then MLA promised us a new one but so far, that has not happened. We are forced to ask residents of Srinivasapuram for the use of their hall. If that facility is not free, we cannot afford big halls outside due to the cost,” said K. Bharathi, a resident.

Petitions planned

Residents have planned to submit petitions to the CM's special cell, the slum clearance board and also to the Mylapore MLA R. Natraj demanding a community hall, a play area for children and a library, among other facilities.

Recently, residents objected to policemen and officials measuring the site.