Chennai Fisher Kuppams Resolve to Fight Beach Highway

Representatives of fisher panchayats from Nocchikuppam, Mulli Kuppam, Mullimaanagar, Pattinapakkam, Srinivasapuram, Urur Olcott, Odaikuppam, Thiruvanmiyur North Kuppam, Thiruvanmiyur South Kuppam, Kottivakkam North Kuppam, Kottivakkam South Kuppam addressed the press at Urur Kuppam Srimathi Ellaiamman Temple, Urur Kuppam, Besant Nagar. The subject of the press conference was to launch their resolutions against the Elevated Expressway on the beach.

PRESS RELEASE

Chennai Fisher Kuppams Resolve to Fight Beach Highway

28 December, 2009. CHENNAI – Panchayats of several fishing villages, including Mullai Kuppam, Mullai Nagar, Srinivasapuram, Urur Kuppam, Olcott Kuppam, Odai Kuppam, Odaimanagar, Thiruvanmiyur North Kuppam, Thiruvanmiyur South Kuppam, Kottivakkam Kuppam, today issued resolutions against the Tamilnadu Highways Department's proposal to run a 7.5km elevated expressway along the beach. The resolutions were issued after a December 6 meeting called for by the Urur Kuppam Panchayat Mahasabhai of all fishing villages between Marina and Kottivakkam.

Addressing a press conference called by Panchayats of all fishing villages from Nocchikuppam to Kottivakkam Kuppam, the leaders said the expressway will result in evictions of fishing and other low-income settlements, and totally disrupt fishing livelihoods during and after construction. According to the report, at least 1207 households will be evicted to construct the road. Stating that the Rs. 1200 crore proposal had nothing to do with the commuting difficulties faced by the city's poor, they pointed out that the road was being constructed to pander to the fancies of the elite private vehicle owners. The Final Feasibility Report prepared by Wilbur Smith clearly states that the expressway will not be open to public transport buses. The fisher leaders quoted from the Wilbur Smith report to highlight that fishing villages will be temporarily relocated during construction.

All villages have sent the resolutions to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Highways Department Secretary, Chief Secretary, Fisheries Minister, Minister (Environment), Minister (Forests). Over the coming weeks, a delegation of representatives will meet relevant officials to press their demands. Fisher leaders have said that they will gather support from other coastal residents and supporters across the nation and the world to oppose the elevated highway until the proposal is dropped.

For more information, contact:
K. Saravanan, Member, Urur Kuppam Fisher Panchayat Mahasabhai: 9941408181

• < Prev
• Next >