Chennai Secretariat Project Raises Fears Among Fisherfolk

The Tamil Nadu government's proposal to build a Rs 1,200-crore Secretariat-cum-Assembly complex in Pattinapakkam, spanning 26 acres near Chennai's Marina shore, has sparked anxiety among local fishing communities who depend on the sea and surrounding roads for their livelihood.

Daisy, a fisherwoman who sells fish and prawns on Loop Road, a few hundred metres from the proposed site, worries that security restrictions around the new complex could make it difficult for her family to continue their traditional trade. "How would we educate our grandchildren? What would we do for our food?" she asks. She says she is happy that Chief Minister Vijay has assumed office and hopes his tenure goes well, but adds that he should ensure fishermen and fisherfolk are not put to hardship.

Srinivasan, who has fished for over four decades, fears the project could cripple the livelihoods of nearly 10,000 fishermen and others dependent on the fishing economy across about ten villages within a 1.5-km radius. The proposed complex is planned as a 15-storey building with around 20 lakh square feet of built-up area. He worries the area could eventually become a high-security zone where boats cannot be parked and fish cannot be sold.

For the fishing community, the concern is not merely about losing land but about losing access to the ecosystem that sustains their lives. Fisherfolk are demanding that the government order approving the project be scrapped and that the land instead be used for housing for fishing communities. Bharathi, president of a fishermen's association, said the government should quash the project order and honour a promise made in the 1950s to provide plots to the community.

Environmentalists have also raised concerns over the scale and location of the project. Nityanand Jayaraman questioned the need for a massive government complex so close to the sea at a time when climate change and rising sea levels are already putting pressure on coastal ecosystems.

The ruling TVK has said the government will be sensitive to the concerns raised and that Vijay will take the final call. Party spokesperson M Sathya Kumar said that when there is so much anger and discontentment, the government would be sympathetic, and that one word from the leader would get back the love from the fishing community.

The project presents a political tightrope walk for the ruling party, which recently abandoned the proposed Parandur airport project after protests from farmers. Fisherfolk had largely backed Vijay during his political rise, and the question now is whether he will once again listen to those who fear losing their livelihoods.