M. Veerapandian. File
| Photo Credit: S. Siva Saravanan
CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian. on Thursday (September 10, 2026), has urged the Tamil Nadu government to immediately drop its plan to construct a new Secretariat at Pattinapakkam (Foreshore Estate) in Chennai, citing concerns over the livelihood rights of fishermen, the marine environment, climate change, people’s access to the beach and the security of the government administration.
In a statement, he said nine fisher hamlets including Srinivasapuram, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Bhavani Kuppam, Selvarajapuram, Duming Kuppam, Notchi Nagar and Notchi Kuppam were located around the proposed site for the Secretariat.
“The people in these hamlets depend on the sea not just for habitation. The sea is the fount of their livelihood, general wealth, fishing, movement of boats, unloading of fish, drying of fishing nets and fish, and storage,” he said.
Mr. Veerapandian, whose party provides outside support to the government, said the creation of such a mammoth administrative complex, along with roads, parking spaces and security infrastructure, would affect the seashore, which was already facing a space crunch. “Around 1,500 families will be forced to relocate and their livelihood will be at stake,” he pointed out.
The CPI leader said the proposed new Secretariat-Assembly complex, with high-security arrangements, movement of vehicles carrying VIPs and deployment of police personnel, would soon turn the area into a controlled zone dominated by security and administrative infrastructure.
“Moreover, it is dangerous to create a Secretariat when the globe is facing a climate change emergency. Chennai’s seashores are being affected by storms, floods, high tides and rising sea levels. The government should opt for a safe place,” he said.
Mr. Veerapandian also said the proposed site was a nesting ground for Olive Ridley turtles. “Just naming it a green complex will not make it safe for the environment,” he stated.
Published – September 10, 2026 06:23 pm IST
