Chennai, February 25 – Tension is rising along Chennai's coastline as fishermen from 12 villages between Ayodhya Kuppam in Triplicane and Srinivasapuram in Santhome are preparing for a large-scale human chain protest on the evening of March 2.
The protest is aimed at urging the state government to drop plans to expand the Blue Flag beach project along the Marina and to halt the rope car project on the beach.
According to fishermen leaders, representatives from Ayodhya Kuppam, Mattankuppam, Nochikuppam, and Srinivasapuram discussed what they termed "serious threats to their livelihoods" posed by recent coastal development initiatives.
In addition to the Blue Flag expansion, the fishing community is opposing the proposed removal of shops along the Marina Loop Road and beachfront areas. The protesters argue that while they are not against development, any expansion of tourism infrastructure should not come at the expense of traditional fishing rights, vending spaces, and access to the shore. They have demanded structured consultations with officials before further work proceeds.
Selvaraj, a fisherman from Ayodhya Kuppam, stated that the community had already made concessions for earlier phases of the project. "We gave up space and moved our boats when the Blue Flag proposal first came. But when bamboo fences were erected in the little space we had left, we lost even that. After pressure from us, they removed it. We have 30 boats and 10 catamarans here. Fishing near the coast is already badly affected due to sewage and garbage. Now even our parking space for boats is shrinking," he said.
Residents fear that further expansion of the Blue Flag scheme will force fishing families to leave the beach altogether.
According to community members, the traditional space used for docking boats and drying nets is gradually being restricted. Concerns are also mounting among vendors who depend on evening beach commerce. A woman vendor said that nearly 2,000 families rely on the eateries and small shops that operate along Marina and Loop Road.
"How can only 300 shops be allowed? What will happen to the rest? If the government provides alternative space or another means of livelihood, we can consider moving. Otherwise, this is a question of life and death for us," she said.
Community leader K. Bharathi questioned what he called "unequal enforcement". He alleged that while fishermen are prevented from putting up temporary thatches to mend nets, civic authorities are installing bamboo fences, cabanas, changing rooms, toilets, and even undertaking rope car construction on the beach.
The fishermen have urged the government to hold consultations before proceeding further, warning that development without livelihood safeguards will severely impact Chennai's traditional coastal communities.