Thoothukudi protest: salt workers, fishers demand shipyard relocation to save livelihoods
Salt producers, workmen and fishermen staged a protest at Mullakadu near Thoothukudi on Saturday against the state government's move to acquire land for the proposed shipping yard project. The demonstrators said the acquisition would destroy salt pans and threaten the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on salt production and fishing.
The protest was attended by office-bearers of the Kovalam Pasuvantharai Thanpaadu Siriya Alavu Uppu Urpathiyalar Sangam, a salt producers' association, including its secretary Sekar and president Mandhiramoorthy. Functionaries of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), including district secretary Pechimuthu, were also present.
The protesters appealed to the state government to hold talks with all affected stakeholders and find an amicable solution. They expressed concern that thousands of workers would lose their livelihoods if the acquisition goes ahead as planned.
While clarifying that they are not opposed to industrial development, the protesters said the shipbuilding yard should be set up at an alternative location that does not harm the region's traditional salt industry. They urged the government to protect the livelihoods of salt producers, labourers and fishermen while pursuing development projects.
According to the protesters, the government is planning to acquire land in Mullakadu, Kovalam, Pazhayakayal and surrounding areas. Thoothukudi is one of India's major salt-producing regions, with extensive salt pans and a significant fishing community. Local residents have long relied on these natural resources for their economic survival.
The proposed shipping yard is part of the state's industrial expansion plans. However, the protest reflects a growing concern among coastal communities that large-scale infrastructure projects often come at the cost of traditional livelihoods. The protesters have not rejected the project outright, but have requested that it be relocated to a site where it will not cause such widespread displacement.
No official response from the state government or the project proponents has been reported so far. The protesters have indicated their willingness to engage in dialogue about alternative locations and compensation measures, but they insist that any solution must ensure the continued viability of the salt industry and fishing activities in the area.
