‘Will protest if constructionon Pallikaranai Marshland is not halted’

Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, a leader of the PMK party, vehemently opposed the construction of a three-kilometer-long compound wall and a walkway on the Pallikaranai Marshland. These structures are part of the 'Neithal Restoration and Conservation Work,' a project initiated by the DMK government. Dr. Ramadoss urged the Tamil Nadu government to halt the work, remove the already built structures, and restore the affected areas. He warned that if no action is taken, the PMK party would launch extensive protests.

Dr. Ramadoss condemned the DMK government for continuing the project commenced by its predecessor, the ADMK government. He expressed concern that the construction could lead to flooding in the area. He emphasized that the marshland, which has shrunk from 15,000 acres to just 1,750 acres, needed immediate attention. "The encroachments on the marshland should be removed, and its boundaries should be demarcated and notified officially," he stated.

Dr. Anbumani criticized the DMK government's approach, stating that instead of restoring the marshland, it was encroaching upon it by constructing the wall and walkway. These structures obstruct the natural flow of water, causing rainwater to fail to enter the marshland. This situation could result in waterlogging and flooding when it rains, either within the city of Chennai or in other parts of the region.