Follow govt approved map to clear projects: Kanimozhi

Referring to a map released recently by environment department of Tamil Nadu, which, she claimed, denies the existence of the creek itself, Kanimozhi alleged that the Kamarajar Port was trying to construct a car park and coal yard in 1,000 acres of the creek by filling it. 

Speaking in the Upper House of the Parliament, she charged the Port with trying to convert the creek in to real estate land and said, “If the creek is compromised, and if there is a flood in Chennai, nothing can save Chennai.” She urged the Environment and Shipping ministries to ensure that the creek was not disturbed and the Port expansion carried out on dry land.  “Make sure that all clearances are given (to projects) based on the government approved maps,” she said, claiming that during the 2015 floods, industrial installations spread across 1,090 acres of the protected wetland, had blocked rainwater from going to the sea, causing flooding in areas in Chennai, which have never experienced floods in the past. 

Union Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, in response to the DMK MP’s query on Monday, had acknowledged the fly ash dumping issue by citing TN Pollution Control Board’ directions to TANGEDCO and informed the House that states have been advised to prioritise action for constitution of State Wetlands/Lake authorities, identification and notification of wetlands and the development of an integrated management plan.