Residents of 10 coastal villages demand withdrawal of GO 564, insisting that the land be preserved for traditional fishing community housing and rehabilitation
Chennai, Oct 2026 : Fishermen from 10 coastal villages in Pattinapakkam will stage a black flag march on Sunday to protest against the Tamil Nadu government’s proposal to use land in the area for constructing a new Assembly and Secretariat complex.
The demonstration, organised by the Mylapore Area All Fishermen Village Panchayat Council, will take place at the Mullikuppam-Srinivasapuram Loop Road junction. Residents of the fishing settlements are also planning to hoist black flags along the beachfront to register their opposition to the proposed project.
The council has demanded that the state government withdraw Government Order (GO) 564, which it says provides for the proposed Assembly and Secretariat complex at Pattinapakkam. Fishermen maintain that the land should instead be retained for the welfare, rehabilitation and housing requirements of the traditional coastal community.
Sunday’s protest follows an agitation held on September 29, when fishermen urged the government to revoke the order and protect the land from being diverted for the administrative complex. With the community maintaining that its concerns remain unresolved, the village council has decided to intensify its campaign through the black flag march.
According to the council, the land covered under Survey Nos. 4592 and 4593 was acquired under GO Ms No. 3313, dated October 10, 1957, specifically for the rehabilitation and long-term housing of fishermen living in the locality.
The council argues that allocating the property for a government administrative complex would contradict the original purpose of its acquisition and undermine assurances previously given to the fishing community. It has urged the government to honour the land’s stated purpose and protect the residential interests of local fishermen.
The community has also referred to climate vulnerability assessments while opposing any proposal that could result in residents being relocated. Fishermen claim the assessments indicate that Mullikuppam would remain relatively safe from projected sea-level rise through 2050 and 2100.
On this basis, they have called for the locality to be formally recognised as a fishermen’s residential zone under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019.
Protesters argue that coastal land traditionally associated with fishing communities should be safeguarded for housing and livelihood needs rather than diverted for large infrastructure projects. They have also sought consultations with residents before the government proceeds with the proposed Secretariat complex.
The village council has appealed to the state government to reconsider the land allocation, address the community’s concerns and ensure that the long-term interests of traditional fishing families are protected.
