Tension is rising among fishermen along Chennai’s coastline as residents from 12 hamlets gear up for a human chain protest on March 2. The protest aims to oppose the expansion of the Blue Flag beach project along Marina and the construction of a rope car on the sands. Fishermen leaders express concerns over threats to their livelihood posed by recent coastal development initiatives.
Leaders from Ayodhya Kuppam, Mattankuppam, Nochikuppam, and Srinivasapuram are at the forefront of the agitation. They highlight the risks to traditional fishing rights, vending spaces, and shore access due to proposed projects. While not against development, the fishing community demands consultations with officials before any further work proceeds.
Selvaraj, a fisherman from Ayodhya Kuppam, emphasizes the community’s previous sacrifices for the project. He mentions the challenges faced, including the shrinking parking space for boats and the impact on fishing activities near the coast. Concerns are also raised about the potential displacement of fishing families from the beach due to the Blue Flag scheme’s expansion.
Residents and vendors express worries about the diminishing space for docking boats and drying nets, affecting around 2,000 families dependent on beach commerce. Questions are raised about the fate of numerous eateries and shops along Marina and Loop Road if only a limited number of shops are allowed. Community members stress the need for alternative livelihood options before any forced relocation.
Fishermen criticize what they perceive as biased enforcement, citing restrictions on their activities while authorities proceed with various infrastructure projects on the sands. They call for inclusive consultations with the government to safeguard the traditional coastal communities of Chennai against adverse impacts from unchecked development.
