Hundreds of people from various associations, including salt pan owners, traders and labourers staged a demonstration in Thoothukudi on Thursday, opposing the proposed acquisition of salt pans for the establishment of a ship building industry along the Mullakadu coast.

Industries Minister T. R. B. Rajaa during his recent visit to Thoothukudi announced that planning was under way for the establishment of a ship building yard in Thoothukudi, and suggested that there was a possibility of Thoothukudi soon being called the Ulsan of India.

In line with this, there was a proposal to acquire government poramboke lands in Muthaihpuram, Mullakadu, Pullaveli and Palayakayal. These lands were currently being used for salt production. The district administration has also begun the preliminary work for the land acquisition process.

However, this has irked the salt pan owners, labourers and traders, who have severely condemned the move of the State government. As part of their opposition, a demonstration was organised in the Thoothukudi-Tiruchendur highway. They demanded that the shipyard should not be established by taking over the salt pan lands.

The protest was presided over by Koavalam Pasuntharai Thanpaadu Salt Producers’ Association.

During the meeting association president V. Krishnamoorthy said that a total of 15,000 families directly and one lakh families indirectly depend on these salt pans and the implementation of the project would affect their livelihood. He added that every year the proposed region alone produces around four lakh tonnes of salt, and recommended that the government choose another site which does not affect the already existing industry.

During the meeting, Pechimuthu, District president, CITU-Thoothukudi said that the establishment of the industry would adversely affect the environmental balance of the region. He added, “The government has not organised any public hearings. One should definitely be conducted before the acquisition of the land.”

Speaking on this, an official from the Thoothukudi district administration said that around 750 acres land in the region has been proposed for the project. He added. “Before finalising the decisions, discussions will be held with the stakeholders in the proposed region.”