‘Adani port will increase flood risk’

Addressing a press conference against the proposed project at the Chennai Press Club on Wednesday, environmental activists said that the proposal would not only destroy the livelihoods of 50,000 fisherfolk in the Ennore- Pulicat region but also worsen water scarcity and expose more than 10 lakh people in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts to increased flood and cyclone risk.

Prof Sudhir, a teacher of architecture, noted that the proposed project aims to create 2,000 acres of land by reclaiming the sea, and another 2,000 acres by converting waterbodies in the Ennore-Pulicat wetlands into real estate for Special Economic Zones. The wetlands store rainwater and facilitate groundwater recharge and provide protection against flooding. “Reclaiming the waterbodies and ecologically sensitive areas is prohibited. The Expert Committee does not have the authority to accept this illegal proposal,” said Sudhir.

Pazhaverkadu Lighthouse Paguthi Meenavar Sangam, Palavai Pengal Meen Thozilalar Sangam, Urnamedu and Sengenimedu Village, Kattur and Katupalli Colony residents, Poovulagin Nanbargal, Concerned Youth for People and Save Ennore Creek campaign joined hands against the project.