Chennai: The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Tamil Nadu government to state whether it intends to continue or abandon the proposed pen-shaped memorial for former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
The project, announced earlier, envisages a 30-metre-tall pen monument with a 3-metre diameter, to be built over an area of about 8,000 sq metres at an estimated cost of Rs 80 crore. It also proposed a bridge from Marina Beach, extending about 290 metres on land and 360 metres into the sea.
Petitions were filed before the tribunal seeking a restraint on the construction, citing that the site falls within a coastal regulation zone where turtles lay eggs. The case was moved by advocate Ramkumar Adithan and Naam Tamilar Katchi’s Vennila Thayumanavan.
In its order, the bench noted that despite approvals, no construction has taken place for three years. The tribunal said it has no objection to memorials in general, but stressed that the impacts of building inside the sea must be examined, including concerns related to marine life, fishermen’s welfare and the safety of visitors.
The tribunal directed the state government to file its response by July 28, and indicated that the case could be closed if the project has been dropped.
