Fishermen and villagers urge reopening of Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi

Fishermen and villagers from Thoothukudi have submitted a petition to Collector K. Elambahavath, urging the reopening of the Sterlite Copper plant which was previously operational in the region.

The petition was submitted on behalf of various fishermen welfare associations including Thoothukudi Country Boat Shrimp Fishermen Welfare Association and Thenpagam Fishermen Association.

The petitioners said that the Sterlite plant operated in Thoothukudi for over 20 years and it benefitted the coastal villages and people from various regions through a range of welfare schemes. The plant had also provided both direct and indirect job opportunities to thousands of people significantly improving their livelihoods.

The petition highlighted that the unemployment and uncertainties about the future of their children remains a major concern. They requested the government to form an expert committee to assess the plant and address the issues found and to reopen the plant.

Villagers from Kumareddiyapuram and Meelavittan also submitted a petition stating that the protests were against the expansion of the Sterlite plant and not its existing operation.

They urged the government to reconsider the reopening of the plant as such a step would significantly improve the lives of thousands of workers who depend on it for their livelihood.

Published - December 12, 2024 09:09 pm IST