Fishermen have opposed the proposal to construct a sea bridge from Light house on the Marina to Neelankarai. According to community leaders, over 5000 families of artisanal fishermen and their livelihood will be affected if the corridor is constructed.
Community leader Ko.Su. Mani said studies showed that the sea level would go up by 2050 and in such a situation, the government should construct alternative houses for coastal communities. However, instead of allocating funds for the rehabilitation of fishing villages, the government was thinking of constructing a long sea bridge. “The beach is our workplace. Construction of such a massive structure will affect our livelihood,” he said.
K. Bharathi of the Meenavar Makkal Katchi said that coastal constructions would harm the seashore and lead to erosion, as seen in Mumbai. “People will die trying to get their boats out to sea in between the pillars, especially since they go to fish at night. There have been such instances in Mumbai. The construction will also lead to coastal erosion. Entire villages will vanish from the map. People are already searching for jobs in other trades,” he said.
Kabbadi Maran, another community leader, said the ports in North Chennai had completely removed the coastal communities from their lands. “We have been forced to move inland and constantly beg for jobs and rehabilitation. The pollution there is unbearable but more coal-powered thermal plants keep coming up in the north. This bridge will ring the death knell for communities in the south,” he said.
An all-party fishermen organising committee was formed after the representatives of several political parties met at Nochikuppam. Fishing community leaders have planned to meet political party leaders and also submit petitions to government officials.
Published – January 12, 2025 01:10 am IST