Objections Raised by CPF During the Public Hearing on the Proposed Development of Outer Harbour in the Tuticorin Port Trust - 16.07.2010

COASTAL PEOPLE’S FEDERATION

11/106B, “CAPTAIN COMPOUND “Arockiapuram Main Road, Thoothukudi – 628002

Mob: 98421 54073 Email: cpfsouth@gmail.com; Ph: 0461 – 2361699,

Ref: No: CPF/02/2010

16.07.2010

To

The District Collector,

Thoothukudi District,

Thoothukudi – 628002.

Sir,

Sub: Objections raised during the Public Hearing on the Proposed Development of Outer Harbor in the Tuticorin Port Trust.

1. We strongly feel that the Proposed Expansion of the Turicorin Port – Outer Harbour is envisaged without considering the carrying capacity of the town or Port. The Thoothukudi Town lacks basic amenities and infrastructures such as road, rail connectivity, water facility, electricity and disaster plan.

2. We doubt seriously if the project authorities really studied the ground realities before conducting EIA or seeking public opinion or placing it before the Ministry for approval.

3. At the outset, we consider the proposed expansion is just against or the violation of the Integrated Management Plan for the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and Biosphere Reserve (2007 – 2016} developed by Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradon. This categorically forbids the Port activities, further port Expansion and Sea Voyages around /along the islands.

4. The Envisaged Breakwater requirement with rubble mount construction would further accelerate the sea erosion in the northern side of the Thoothukudi city which then results in submersion of all the northern coastal villages from the Thoothukudi city into sea waters.

5. The extension of sea wall protection sea ward side would naturally leave the native and traditional fishers to lose their fertile fishing grounds which are productive in nature and thereby drastically tells upon the livelihood of the fishers. Since its inception in 1970s. Many fishers have lost their livelihood and left them displaced. The existence of port has already having a tremendous negative effect on the fishing practices and the extinction of various flora and fauna in the GoM Region which is highly ecologically sensitive. .

6. The dredging Method and machinery mentioned in the EIA (Drilling & Blasting) would pose severe threat and strike a death knell to the fragile ecosystem of GoM.

7. We accuse that the Port has already confiscated the prime coastal lands , habitats and the fishing grounds of the fishers is now ready to further alienate the fishers from their habitations and fishing territories.

8. The Tuticorin Port has known for its notorious activities such as Drug Trafficking, Smuggling, hazardous and toxic waste dump yard, (MUNICPAL WASTE & E WASTE) and illegal trade of forest wood and sand (RIVER & COASTAL RARE MINERALS). It has become the authorized hub for toxic waste yard for the west. The unclaimed containers are still lying in the port premises shows how effective the customs function in the port city.

The port is the major entry for all the Pollution and hazardous of every nature thus making the City more polluted and coast vulnerable. The further expansion of the port and the corrupt systems of management and monitoring /surveillance would pose a serious threat to the security of the country.

9. The Tuticorin Port has not generated Employment opportunities in the city or in the country due to high level of mechanization of labour inside the port. The mechanization process has killed the labour force in the city or in the country. The Major workforce has been outsourced thus paving way for “PRIVATISATION”. The workers’ rights are not recognized, the labour standards are not maintained and there is no job security or any compensation if they are thrown out of the labour.

10. The Port has not followed up and violated the regulations stipulated by CPCB and Supreme Court for handling coal and Copper Smelter in the Port premises and the proposed outer harbor is paving way for the heavy import of Coal and Copper Smelter which would further pollute the coastal waters , city and district and the workers’ health vulnerable.

11. The Bay of Bengal region has become more and more unsafe and unsecure in view of security concerns as the presence of China in Srilanka is very much disturbing and so, the Port would become a transit point for any anti national elements.

So, based on these valid and serious objections, we request you not to permit and go ahead with the Tuticorin Port to Construct the Outer harbor Project.

Thank you,

Yours truly,

M.Pushparayan,

Convener, CPF.