Chennai: The Foreshore Estate secretariat proposal is moving closer to the ground, with TNHB floating a tender to demolish the remaining rental quarters in the area. The tender, issued by TNHB’s Nandanam division on Monday, covers the demolition of 96 flats along with other buildings in Mylapore. “We have provided them with alternative accommodation,” said V Siva, TNHB chairman.According to senior TNHB officials, some residents had moved court against the move. “In Aug, Madras high court gave them 45 days to vacate. Later, they approached the Supreme Court and the case was dismissed. The buildings are too dangerous to live in, especially during the monsoon,” the official said.Last month, CMDA reclassified land parcels at Foreshore Estate from primary residential, institutional, open space and recreational, and non-assigned areas into a commercial use zone. The ₹1,200-crore integrated secretariat complex project, announced by chief minister C Joseph Vijay, is planned across 25.55 acres, with a proposed built-up area of 20 lakh sqft.The govt has granted in-principle approval for the project and directed the public works department to prepare a detailed project report and cost estimates. The project has triggered debate over the use of valuable coastal land for a govt complex, traffic congestion and its implications for fishing communities.Meanwhile, fishermen from villages along the Marina have decided to boycott the consultative meeting called by the Collectorate on the secretariat proposal. K Bharati, president of South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association, said the decision was taken at a meeting of fishermen leaders from eight villages on Sunday. The govt has now decided to postpone the meeting, which was initially slated for Nov 3, in view of Cyclone Murasu.
