Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss on 20 September 2026 demanded that the Tamil Nadu government immediately withdraw land acquisition notifications covering 1,277 acres in Cuddalore district — earmarked for a new SIPCOT industrial complex and the expansion of NLC mines — warning of a major public agitation if the proposals are not scrapped.

What the Acquisition Covers

According to Ramadoss, the state government had issued a fresh notification to acquire 164.20 acres in Thiagavalli and Kayalpattu villages, on top of 1,097 acres already notified for the proposed SIPCOT complex. The new industrial estate would span 1,283 acres in total. Added to the existing 2,625-acre SIPCOT estate already operational in Cuddalore, the district would have industrial land spread across 3,908 acres — a scale Ramadoss characterised as an environmental and social threat rather than genuine development.

Separately, the government has announced plans to acquire 68 plots covering 12.60 acres in Gangaikondan village and 77 plots covering 3.21 acres in Vanathirayapuram for the expansion of NLC's Mine-I. More than 100 families could be rendered homeless if these acquisitions proceed, the PMK chief alleged.

Land Pricing and Compensation Concerns

Ramadoss alleged that much of the land targeted for SIPCOT had previously been purchased from farmers at low prices by two large private companies, with local residents continuously demanding its return. He argued that the government's attempt to acquire it now was doubly unjust.

The agricultural land proposed for acquisition, he said, was fertile and capable of generating annual income of up to ₹10 lakh per acre. However, the guideline value in some areas had reportedly been fixed at only ₹3.31 lakh per acre, meaning even the enhanced government compensation would fall well short of prevailing market rates, he alleged.

Environmental Damage Allegations

Ramadoss also alleged that untreated industrial waste discharged by chemical industries within the existing SIPCOT complex had already polluted Cuddalore's soil, groundwater, and air. He claimed that hazardous substances, including carcinogenic dioxins, had been detected in the region, and that ongoing NLC mining activities were compounding health and environmental risks for residents across the district.

Notably, Cuddalore has historically been flagged by environmental groups as one of Tamil Nadu's most industrially stressed districts, with multiple chemical clusters operating in close proximity to residential and agricultural zones.

PMK's Political Challenge

Drawing a pointed comparison, Ramadoss questioned why the state government had abandoned the Parandur airport project following protests but continued to pursue land acquisition in Cuddalore despite sustained local opposition. He said the PMK would mobilise affected residents and launch a large-scale agitation if the government failed to withdraw the notifications.

The Tamil Nadu government had not publicly responded to Ramadoss's statement at the time of reporting. With assembly-level political pressure mounting and environmental concerns in the background, the fate of the Cuddalore acquisitions is likely to be tested both in the streets and, potentially, in the courts.