Fisherfolk poured out their anger against the proposed phase III expansion of Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) at a public hearing organised by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) in the presence of Thiruvallur Collector E Sundaravalli on the port premises on Friday. The fishermen leaders and local environmentalists alleged that the fresh expansion plans would flatten 700 acres of wetland. Though the master plan, submitted by the KPL to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), does not talk about this, the comprehensive land use plan of the port reveals it all. K Saravanan, fishermen activist, says the port’s land use plan shows reclamation of large tracts of wetlands and salt pans for creating ancillary facilities, which are integral part of the KPL’s expansion plan. However, the environment impact assessment (EIA) doesn’t talk about these wetlands reclamation. Express has reported about how KPL overlooked State authorities and was lobbying directly with the MoEF to obtain environment clearance and a coastal regulation zone clearance. The same was highlighted at the public hearing by the activists, who requested the authorities to call the public hearing illegal and re-do the EIA. Collector Sundaravalli and District Environment Engineer D Vasudevan, who earlier submitted report on how the KPL illegally dumped dredge spoils and earth destroying the mangrove cover, have videorecorded the statements of all people and assured that their concerns would be addressed appropriately. Sundaravalli said the procedure lapses and environment protection would be dealt with. She directed the KPL to file a counter based on which EIA will be prepared and sent to the MoEF. The KPL’s environment consultant P Chandramohan, who is the managing director of Indomer, told Express that he would relook into all allegations and do necessary changes in the EIA. Another major concern expressed by the local community is creation of employment opportunities. Suman, an MBA graduate from Ennore, alleged that when he approached the port for the job, they asked for six years of experience. How can I get the experience, if not provided employment? All promises made by at the time of inception saying local community will be given first preference for employment have remained just a lip service.
2016, The New Indian Express.