CHENNAI: The State fisheries department, which is already under fire following illegal construction of a groyne field at Muttukadu that triggered unprecedented sea erosion, has allegedly made a false submission before the southern bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) over an illegal mud road laid across the eco-sensitive Muttukadu lagoon.
A year ago, a 100m road was built over the brackish water body by a group from Karikattukupppam village, allegedly at the behest of real estate sharks, who wanted to encroach close to four acres of land in the tail end of the lagoon, adjacent to MGM amusement park. Express had reported this, following which the NGT bench admitted the matter suo motu and directed the government to remove the road.
However, as authorities failed to take any action, the green bench had recently charged the government of showing disrespect to its order, and directed authorities to submit a status report. Now, T Murugusubramanian, chief engineer, PWD (Water Resources Division), has submitted an affidavit claiming the road has been removed. The fisheries department has only removed another temporary road laid near Kovalam bar mouth for transporting stones for the groynes, and claimed it has complied with the tribunal’s order.
When contacted, officials at Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), the premier institute that has been forced to deal with the aftermath of the drastic changes in local environment, said the illegal mud road has not been removed. They also charged the local tahasildar, who convened a meeting between CIBA officials and Karikattukupppam villagers, of abetting the illegality.
Officials say they never complained about the road laid near the Kovalam bar mouth. “We raised concerns about the road laid near the Karikattukupppam village providing direct access to Olive Resort bunglows, which were built without any clearances. It has also detached the tail end shallow portion of the water body, making it easy for realtors to encroach upon,” they said.