Is Foreshore Estate really the most suitable choice?

Since coming to power quite unexpectedly just over four months ago, it must be said that the new government has had a blockbuster opening full of mass moments, filmy lingo fully intended. From scrapping the Parandur airport project (which was quite expected) to fierce assembly debates (the tenor and language of which have become prime-time debates by themselves), it has been an action-packed start. Latest in the list of high-voltage decisions is the building of a new integrated Secretariat Complex at Foreshore Estate. According to reports, the decision was arrived at after considering alternative sites at Guindy (Highways Research Station) and a plot in Nandambakkam. But is it really an inspired choice?

The journey of the locality is fairly well-documented. Developed as a part of a City Improvement Trust slum clearance project in the late 1950s, the land under consideration became synonymous with the construction of rental housing tenements for the low- and middle-income groups the following decade. In an all too familiar tale, these tenements suffered from apathy by succeeding governments and over a period of time became unsuitable for habitation. They were pulled down around fifteen years ago and since then the huge tract of land has been lying vacant. At this juncture, it is worthy to note that this proposal to locate the new integrated Secretariat Complex is the second time in the last five years that there has been a proposal to develop Foreshore Estate. In 2021, the previous government announced the construction of a Marina Business Centre, which did not take off primarily due to litigation issues. With the current development bringing the locality back into focus, it is time to ponder over a few important considerations.

The most obvious point that needs to be debated is its presence amidst a comparatively narrow stretch of an already congested Santhome High Road. The area is home to several schools within a couple of kilometers on either side and already witnesses traffic snarls in their peak hours. Locating the corridors of power amidst such a saturated zone is bound to compound traffic woes on a daily basis. We have been told that plans are afoot to construct an elevated corridor to connect Lighthouse with the Adyar bridge which will help ease the resultant congestion. Executing this is going to be easier said than done, as both the alignments being considered (along Loop Road or along Santhome High Road) are going to come with their own share of problems.

Secondly, the chosen site borders an ecologically sensitive zone and any large-scale construction activity is bound to have an effect on an already fragile ecosystem. While one may argue that there are large scale commercial and residential developments already in the vicinity, it must be remembered that they underwent intense litigation where commercial interests ultimately won. Also, should the government, which is a key stakeholder in environmental protection join the bandwagon? Also, what of the impact to the coastal stretch? While no doubt there will be environmental impact assessments and we will be assured that all precautions will be taken, no amount of ‘green compliance’ in the new structure would be able to compensate the disturbance caused by the increased activity levels.

Political parties from across the spectrum have opposed the project on multiple grounds, including lack of public consultation. The fishing community, which is a dominant stakeholder of the locality too has registered its opposition, as it fears loss of livelihood on account of restricted access to the coast. They carry with them the angst of their past representations being unheeded and any attempt that is perceived as threat to their existence will only end up alienating them further.

While undoubtedly there is an urgent need to address the space constraints of the present administrative headquarters, the choice of an alternative site needs to be carefully debated upon and looked into from multiple aspects. Any site chosen is bound to come with its own share of challenges which need to be addressed. We are told that the ready availability of most of the land requirement with the government is said to have tipped the scales in favour of Foreshore Estate, which doesn’t help but give one the feeling that it is an easy way out, rather than the outcome of any considered thinking.