Around 500 people, including fishermen, environmentalists and residents of Tiruvottiyur, gathered near the municipal office in the area demanding that Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) not lay its crude oil pipeline in the sea. Protesters said the pipeline will be risky and harmful as any leakage would damage marine life.
“We do not want them to lay another line. The pipeline they laid in Tondiarpet 30 years ago has caused a lot of problems for residents,” claimed J. Kosumani, president, Meenavar Makkal Munnani Sangam. “The pipeline has several leakages and the groundwater is no longer potable. We are are also struggling with the impact of the oil spill. Another pipeline will only make things worse and affect the livelihood of fishermen,” he said.
Protesters also officially inaugurated their new forum — North Chennai Coastline Environmentalist Protection Group — at the meeting. “Officials say they will be using high-end technology to ensure no mishap happens, but we do not trust them. And we will protest till our demands are met,” he said.
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