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Chennai, Oct 25 (IANS) Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad has written to Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, urging immediate investigation and cancellation of the environmental clearance and building permission granted for the Rs 2,000 crore housing project in Chennai’s Perumbakkam.
In his detailed representation, Prasad alleged that the 14.7-acre project, comprising 1,250 residential units, is located within the boundaries of the Pallikaranai Marshland, a Ramsar-notified wetland and ecologically sensitive area.
The wetland, spread over 3,081 acres, was officially declared a Ramsar site in April 2022 under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
He said any kind of permanent construction or alteration of the natural character of the wetland is strictly prohibited under these rules.
According to Prasad, rights body Arappor Iyakkam had already submitted a 213-page complaint to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) on October 23, alleging collusion between the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), Forest Department and Water Resources Department in granting clearance for the project. Was.
Citing major irregularities, Prasad said project proponents falsely claimed that the site was located 1.2 km away from marshland, although it is actually adjacent to survey number 534/4, a documented marsh parcel.
During the 411th meeting of SEAC in September 2023, the project was recorded as “adjacent” to the Ramsar site, and postponed for clarification on boundary coordinates and mitigation plans.
Despite this, SEIAA granted environmental clearance (file number 9462) on January 20, 2025.
They also highlighted the “historical manipulation” of pre-1911 land records, through which parts of the original marshland (survey no. 430) were sub-divided, reducing its extent from 640 acres to barely six acres by 1993, leading to encroachment.
“These survey numbers are clearly within the Ramsar limits as per the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority maps and CMDA impact areas,” he said.
Prasad further pointed out that the CMDA granted building permission on January 23, 2025, just days after the environmental clearance, in violation of its own office order 7/2025 issued in September, which prohibits any clearance within Ramsar sites or their one-kilometre buffer.
He said the project is also listed on the website of Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TNRERA) without addressing these violations.
Prasad said, “The Pallikaranai swamp is Chennai’s natural sponge and its destruction will lead to future floods. This case represents not only an environmental crime but also a deep administrative failure.”
He urged the Union Environment Ministry to order an immediate inquiry into the roles of SEIAA, CMDA and other state departments under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and coordinate with DVAC to check corruption.
They also demanded that all site activities be stopped, environmental clearances and building approvals be cancelled, and encroached wetland areas be restored.
“If the ministry gets Arappor Iyakkam’s complaint, SEIAA minutes and Ramsar map, the truth will come out. This project violates both national and international environmental laws,” Prasad said, demanding strict action against the officials and the developer involved.
–IANS
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