Salt Industry Stakeholders Fight Land Seizure for Thoothukudi Shipyard Development

Widespread Resistance at Collectorate Grievance Meeting

A significant mobilization of salt producers and industrial laborers converged on the Thoothukudi Collectorate on Monday to formally contest the state's plan to repurpose salt pan lands for a new shipyard. During the weekly grievance redressal session led by Collector Vishu Mahajan, demonstrators from Mullakadu, Mauthaiahpuram, and Pazhayakayal filed numerous petitions against the acquisition.

This surge in opposition follows a recent government briefing where officials attempted to convince stakeholders to relocate. While the administration suggested providing alternative land near Vaippar, producers have largely dismissed the offer. Many of these operators currently utilize government poramboke land under leases that have reached their expiration dates.

Economic Risks and Revenue Proposals

According to the Kovalam Pasuvantharai Thanpaadu Siriya Alavu Uppu Urpathiyalargal Sangam, the targeted area produces approximately five lakh tonnes of salt annually. The association highlighted the following risks and financial projections in their formal complaint:

• Direct livelihoods of more than 100,000 laborers are currently at risk.
• The region generates between ₹50 lakh and ₹70 lakh in revenue for the state treasury.
• Retail and large-scale salt distribution networks across the south will face disruption.

In an effort to retain their working grounds, the petitioners proposed a new leasing arrangement. They expressed a willingness to pay an annual lease fee of ₹5,000 per acre to satisfy state requirements. Following the submission of their documents, which caused significant delays at the Collectorate due to the sheer volume of individual filings, the group organized a demonstration outside the building. Protesters chanted slogans calling for the shipyard project to be relocated to a different site to protect the local salt economy.

Source: The Hindu — Cities