Shelve eco-destructive Mamallan Reservoir project : PMK

PMK president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss urged the Tamil Nadu government to cancel the Mamallan Reservoir project, citing environmental risks and threats to 5,000 fishing families. He said the estuary ecosystem protects coastal areas, supports marine life and acts as a natural buffer against storms

Chennai: PMK president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday urged the Tamil Nadu government to immediately abandon the controversial Mamallan Reservoir project, citing severe environmental damage and catastrophic impacts on the livelihoods of 5,000 fishing families along the East Coast Road near here.

In a statement, he said the foundation stone for the 5,161-acre reservoir, spanning the backwaters between Kanathur Reddikuppam and Kokilamedu, was laid during the previous DMK regime.

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“During the Assembly poll campaign, the TVK had strongly opposed the project and promised that no eco-damaging projects would be implemented,” he said, adding, “Based on these assurances, coastal communities in Kovalam believed the project would be scrapped”.

“However, three months into governance, the TVK government remains silent on canceling it and is instead making arrangements to commence construction,” Anbumani stated.

Highlighting the ecological significance of the targeted backwaters, the PMK leader pointed out that the area is an estuarine wonder where freshwater meets the sea-serving as a vital breeding ground for rare species of crabs, prawns, and fish.

Anbumani said that the backwaters and estuaries serve as critical natural buffers against ocean swells and storm surges.

Destroying them, he claimed, would expose coastal villages-and even interior settlements such as Thiruporur, Therku Pattu, and Kelambakkam-to seawater inundation during storms and cyclones.

“The government must acknowledge this reality and officially announce the cancellation of the project,” he added.