Centre gives nod for Pen Memorial for Karunanidhi on Marina

CHENNAI: All decks cleared for Muthamizh Aringar Dr Kalaigner Pen Monument as the expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recommended the government to accord CRZ (coastal regulation zone) clearance to the state public works department.

The recommendation has been given despite several environmentalists organisations including Poovulagin Nanbargal, Satta Panchayat Iyakkam, and others opposed the project at a public hearing meeting conducted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) a few days ago.

The State coastal zone management authority had already approved the project and recommended the clearance from central government. Based on the state clearance, the public works department has submitted the project and requested the EAC to approve it.

In a letter, the public works department said that it has, in compliance with the recommendations of the Specific Terms of Reference (TOR) issued by the central government, carried out various aspects of research and study by accredited experts and consultants.

The government has proposed to erect a pen monument about 360 metres from the coastline of Marina Beach and to construct a footbridge connecting the memorial and the monument sites The construction of the Pen Monument and the connecting footbridge is located in the CRZ Zones II, IA, and IVA.

TNSCZMA has already given its recommendations to construct a museum inside the Karunanidhi Memorial.

While recommending the project, the EAC laid several conditions including no objection from INS Adyar prior to the commencement of the construction. Other conditions are adherence to road connectivity and traffic management plan, crowd management plan to regulate the number of visitors. Also, no groundwater should be used for the construction works.

Meanwhile, Seeman, coordinator of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), who took part in the public hearing meeting and voiced against the project, has condemned the EAC for clearing the project.

“It is against democracy to give the approval to construct the pen monument in the sea against norms. Approval given in haste by the union government to the state’s project against the environment shows their mindset against the people,” he said in this Twitter statement.

He added that the public hearing was not conducted properly and it shows that the governments are not considering the public’s opinion.

“NTK will take up a legal battle against the project, “ he said.

(With inputs from Bureau)