Central govt approves to construct Pen monument at Marina Beach
As a part of processing the proposal, a public hearing was conducted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) on January 31.
DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi and proposed 'pen monument'
CHENNAI: Despite strong opposition from environmentalists, Kalaignar Pen Monument in Bay of Bengal off Marina will come up as the CRZ Section (Coastal Regulation Zone) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has accorded its final approval to state public works department.
The approval was given on June 19 based on the recommendations of the expert appraisal committee (EAC) under the provisions of the CRZ Notification 2011. The EAC recommended the project to the Ministry based on recommendation given by Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNCZMA).
The state government has proposed to erect a pen monument about 360 metres from the coastline and to construct a footbridge connecting the memorial and the monument sites. The construction of Pen Monument and the connecting foot bridge is located in the CRZ Zones II, IA and IVA.
Total cost of the project is Rs 81 Crore.
While giving the final approval, the Ministry has directed the public works department to advertise the issuance of the clearance. A copy of the clearance should be sent to local bodies, NGOs and others from whom suggestions and representations were received while processing the proposal.
As a part of processing the proposal, a public hearing was conducted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) on January 31. Subsequently the District Coastal Zone Management Authority (DCZMA) meeting was convened on March 24 and recommendations have been made to approve the project.
Following this, a TNSCZMA meeting was conducted on April 5 and the authority recommended the proposal to the EAC for its recommendations under CRZ Notification. The EAC cleared the proposal on April 17. The public works department will float bids to commence the works.
It may be noted that several environmental organisations including Poovulagin Nanbargal, Satta Panchayat and others opposed the project in the public hearing meeting citing environmental ramifications. Also, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) coordinator Seeman openly opposed the project and warned of legal action.
