Public consultation on new T.N. Secretariat at Pattinapakkam postponed as residents threaten boycott

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Residents say that they did not get any written communication about the consultation and will not participate in it as the project would affect their livelihood. | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

The Chennai Collectorate has postponed the public consultation for the construction of the new secretariat and legislative Assembly in Foreshore Estate (Pattinapakkam), which was scheduled to be held on Tuesday (November 3, 2026), following a boycott call given by residents of 13 villages along the coast from Triplicane to Foreshore Estate.

The public consultation has now been planned for Thursday (November 5).

According to officials, Chennai District Collector S. Malathi Helen met with the senior officials of the State government on Monday evening before deciding to postpone the public consultation. Chennai Collectorate officials refused to provide information regarding the reason for the postponement.

On Monday, residents shared on social media a letter submitted to fisheries officials, stating that the inhabitants of the 13 fishing villages from Mullikuppam to Matankuppam in Mylapore-Thiruvallikeni area intend to boycott the public consultation. The letter was signed by representatives of Mayilai Paguthi Anaithu Meenava Grama Panchayat Sabha.

A resident of Mullikuppam said: “We did not receive any written communication about the public consultation. So, we told the official that we will not participate in it. However, we will visit the Chennai Collectorate during the public consultation and gather on the premises without participating in the meeting. Our livelihood will be affected if the Secretariat is constructed in Pattinapakkam. We fear, the police will restrict our fishing activity and eventually start preventing us from venturing into the sea from citing security reasons once the secretariat is constructed.”

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) has also invited tender for demolition of 96 houses in the Foreshore Estate Scheme in R.S.No.4593/33at Block no.102, Mylapore Village, Mylapore Taluk, Chennai District.

Officials of the TNHB said the buildings were dilapidated and were being demolished to prevent collapse of the structures.

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