Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin’s ambitious plan to construct a grand pen-shaped monument off Chennai’s Marina Beach in honour of his father, M. Karunanidhi, has finally received the green light from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. The project had earlier encountered resistance from opposition political parties, environmentalists, and some fisher folk.
In a letter dated June 19, accessed by ThePrint, the Union Ministry of Environment informed Tamil Nadu’s Public Works Department (PWD) that Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance had been granted to the project. It added that this decision was based on the recommendations of an expert appraisal committee and the Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority.
However, the ministry had put forward a list of 15 specific and 16 general conditions for the project. It has also stated that an environment statement will have to be submitted to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, and compliance to these conditions will need to be annually uploaded on the PWD website.
The project, estimated to cost Rs 80 crore, has faced resistance on the grounds that it is a waste of taxpayers’ money and could potentially harm marine life near the proposed site.
Now, with the final approval from Union environment ministry, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led state government can begin building the much-anticipated monument pen monument
The proposed project spans an area of 8,551.13 sq.m and encompasses various components such as the pen pedestal, a lattice bridge, and pedestrian pathways on the beach, on the sea, and from the Dr Kalagnar memorial to the bridge through the beach.
The pen monument is proposed to be 30 metres high, while the lattice bridge will be 7 metres wide and cover a distance of 290 metress over the land and 360 metres over the sea.
Also Read: Why Stalin’s planned pen-shaped monument in the sea for Karunanidhi is facing flak
‘No construction activity in turtle nesting area’
The monument, which is planned to be set up in the CRZ zone, is subject to 15 specific conditions that must be followed.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has been advised to ensure that all constructions align with the CRZ Notification, 2011. Prior to commencing construction, a no-objection certificate (NOC) must be obtained from INS Adyar, a base depot ship of the Indian Navy located 800 metres from the project site.
The state has also been instructed to conduct and submit erosion and accretion studies.
Construction activities are prohibited in areas where turtle nesting occurs during the nesting season from 1 January to 30 April each year.
The establishment of permanent labour camps, machinery, and material storage within the CRZ area is also not permitted.
Furthermore, the state has been directed not to extract groundwater within the CRZ area for the project’s water requirements during the construction and operational phases.
The ministry’s letter emphasizes that the CRZ clearance is subject to the final order of the National Green Tribunal, southern zone. Any further directives or orders from courts or tribunals must be complied with as well, it stipulates.
The ministry has also cautioned that if the conditions are not satisfactorily implemented, the clearance may be revoked or suspended. It further warns that the clearance will be withdrawn in the event of false data and non-compliance with any of the conditions.
ThePrint attempted to contact the state PWD minister, EV Velu, for comment via phone. The report will be updated upon receiving his response.
(Edited by Asavari Singh)