The proposed pen-shaped memorial dedicated to M Karunanidhi is running into controversy.
What’s it about? The landmark planned by Chief Minister MK Stalin in honour of his late father and former chief minister M Karunanidhi at Marina Beach is facing opposition from political parties, environmentalists, and some fisherfolk. Last July, the government proposed the 42-metre-tall structure in the shape of a pen to pay homage to Karunanidhi’s contribution to the literary world.
- At a cost of ₹80 crores, the plan is for the monument to be surrounded by a landscape garden and be 360 metres from the shore. It’ll be accessible by a lattice bridge.
- The monument will be in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) IVA, which is the sea. The bridge will fall under the CRZ-IA, an ecologically sensitive region with turtle nesting grounds.
Opposition: Fisherfolk in the area said it would affect 30 fishing hamlets. There’s also the risk of projected rising sea levels, and the site could be potentially impacted. The BJP said it was an unreasonable project and called it a waste of money. The project is currently awaiting environmental clearance.