PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Monday, 12 October demanded an immediate halt to the construction of a retaining wall and pathway inside the Pallikaranai marshland in Chennai, warning that the three-kilometre project would worsen flood risk for surrounding residential neighbourhoods. After personally inspecting the site, he called on Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to intervene and order the removal of structures already in place.

What the PMK Is Demanding

Anbumani stated that the partially built retaining wall and pathway must be fully scrapped and the completed portions dismantled. He questioned why concrete structures were being raised inside a protected wetland, arguing the proposal had not been sought by local residents or fishing communities. He also alleged that the work violated judicial directions on wetland protection and accused the government of corruption in executing the project.

Origins of the Disputed Project

The construction was initiated under the Neithal Recovery Mission, launched in 2024 by the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government to improve livelihoods across coastal communities in 14 districts along Tamil Nadu's 1,076-kilometre coastline. The TVK administration has continued the works despite reported environmental and legal concerns. The state secured a World Bank loan of ₹1,674 crore for the mission, with ₹21.5 crore earmarked specifically for the Pallikaranai component under the Forest Department, according to Anbumani.

Environmental and Flood Concerns

Anbumani described Pallikaranai marsh as a critical natural flood buffer for Chennai, noting that it channels surplus rainwater towards the sea and replenishes groundwater during summer months. He alleged that the retaining wall obstructs the natural flow of rainwater through the wetland, making surrounding localities more vulnerable to inundation. Residents had told him that water stagnation had already worsened since construction began, and he cited their concerns about mosquito breeding and dengue risk as additional consequences.

Notably, the marshland — which reportedly spanned around 15,000 acres a century ago — has shrunk to approximately 2,500 acres, making the protection of its remaining extent environmentally significant. This is part of a broader pattern of urban encroachment on Chennai's wetland network that environmental advocates have flagged for decades.

PMK's Warning and Next Steps

Anbumani warned that if the government did not immediately halt construction, the PMK would organise a large-scale agitation under his leadership. He further demanded that the government formally notify and demarcate the remaining marshland, alleging it had not done so despite court orders. The party's threat adds political pressure on the TVK administration to address both the legal and environmental dimensions of the project before the monsoon season deepens flood risk across Chennai's low-lying areas.