Screengrab of a video showing the proposed Kalaignar Pen memorial. Photo: Special Arrangement
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recommended Proposal for construction of Muthmiz Arignar Dr. Kalaignar Kalam Memorial Coastal area with about 15 conditions in Bay of Bengal for evacuation, off Marina Beach.
The meeting of the 12-member committee was held on April 17. The Public Works Department had proposed a pen memorial of 30 meters height and it would be spread over approximately 8,551 square metres. The length of the bridge will be 290 meters above the ground and 360 meters above the sea and it will be 7 meters wide.
The Tamil Nadu State Coastal Management Authority has given its approval with certain recommendations, after a proposal of Rs 81 crore was sent to the Union ministry earlier this month following compliance with the norms.
The EAC has noted that the National Center for Coastal Research should monitor erosion and sand accretion and seek a no objection certificate from INS Adyar, which is 800 meters away from the project site. It has also said that the PWD, which will be the project proponent, will have to follow the directions of the court in future. The committee was earlier informed that no stay or direction has been granted by any court so far.
It has also clarified that if any information is found to be false or misleading, the project will be rejected and the CRZ clearance cancelled.
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The EAC has mandated that the number of visitors at any point of time be maintained as specified in the crowd management plan and that groundwater within the CRZ area for construction should not be drawn. In addition, construction should not be carried out during the turtle nesting season and road connectivity, traffic management plan and emergency evacuation plan should be submitted.
The EAC said that the CRZ clearance is also subject to the final order of the National Green Tribunal, Southern Region.
Earlier, the PWD in its proposal had said that it has addressed some of the major concerns raised in the public hearing. Steps will be taken to minimize the impact on ecology. The project will not affect the livelihood of fishermen as ships can operate beyond the bridge area and piers with large spans of 16 meters will be erected for free movement of water and marine life.
Officials said that now that the approval has been received, the PWD will prepare a detailed project report.