Chennai, Sep 10 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu unit of the CPI on Thursday urged the TVK government to immediately abandon its plans to build a new Secretariat-Assembly complex in coastal Pattinapakkam, calling for a safer, environmentally suitable alternative location.
CPI, besides CPI (M), is extending outside support to the maiden TVK government headed by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
CPI state secretary M Veerapandian warned that the proposed site threatened coastal ecology, Olive Ridley nesting sites, and livelihoods of over 1,500 fishing families.
Strongly opposing the Pattinapakkam site, Veerapandian asserted that building a massive administrative hub along the sensitive region would devastate coastal ecology, compromise public access to the shoreline, and severely disrupt the livelihoods of the local fishing community.
He noted that nine fishing hamlets – including Mullaikuppam, Srinivasapuram, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Bhavani Kuppam and Nochikuppam encircle the site.
“The sea is not merely a residential backyard for these communities. It is their primary livelihood and a common resource,” the CPI leader said, pointing out that over 1,500 fishing families face economic displacement and loss of access to essential operations like boat landing, net drying, fish processing, and sales.
On the ecological risks, he said, in a statement, that the stretch is an identified vulnerable coastal ecosystem and an active nesting habitat for endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles. Besides, it exposed vital state administrative infrastructure to high risks of sea-level rise, storm surges, coastal erosion, and floods.
Further, the high-security barricades, restricted zones, and VIP traffic movements will turn a public beach area into an inaccessible administrative enclave, Veerapandian claimed, dismissing the government’s characterisation of the proposal as a “green complex.” True sustainability lay in choosing an ecologically appropriate site rather than relying on green building certifications, he stressed.
“Modernising administrative infrastructure may be necessary, but doing so by encroaching on fragile coastal zones, stripping away fisherfolk livelihoods, and shrinking democratic public spaces is unacceptable,” Veerapandian stated, reiterating the demand for an immediate site relocation.
The state government has issued an order – GO – on September 8, days after Vijay made an announcement in the Assembly to shift the state administration from the current location in the historic Fort St George to Pattinapakkam, due to space constraints.
The Rs 1,200 crore project will be located in Pattinapakkam (Foreshore Estate) in Mylapore, here, situated close to the sea, on approximately 20 lakh square feet area.
A total of 25.55 acres have been pooled from multiple government departments including Tamil Nadu Housing Board: 22.89 acres, Revenue department: 1.73 acres, and Greater Chennai Corporation: 0.93 acres.
The GO directed the Public Works Department to submit a detailed project report (DPR) along with final cost estimates within three months.
Three specialised committees have been constituted to expedite the planning, architectural design, and implementation of the modern administrative hub. PTI JSP JSP SA
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