CHENNAI: The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) sought a response from the Secretary of the Union Environment Ministry, and the Managing Director of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board on a petition by a fisher activist alleging that the 400 MLD desalination plant was being constructed at Perur on ECR without environmental clearance.

The bench comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and member Satya Gopal posted the case for the next hearing on December 18.

The petition filed by MR Thyagarajan, president of the Fishermen Welfare Association, alleged that though the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) has given approval for the 400 MLD desal project in Perur, the construction work was being carried out in environmentally sensitive areas without approval.

“The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) should be directed to take strict action against the CMWSSB. The TNSCZMA approval should be withdrawn and fines should be imposed for environmental damages,” he said.

Chief Minister MK Stalin, on August 21, 2023, had laid the foundation stone for the plant, which is being executed with financial support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at Rs 4,276 crore. The project is being implemented by CMWSSB.