Fishermen and residents gathered in Pattinapakkam, Chennai, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, to protest the proposed construction of a new Secretariat-Assembly complex in the area.
A huge police presence was put in place at the protest site as fishing communities from Pattinapakkam and the coastal villages joined the demonstration. A protest was announced earlier after fishing representatives had discussed the proposed project.
The protesters are demanding that the government abandon the project at Pattinapakkam site and instead use the land for fishing families’ housing and livelihood needs.
Demand to use land for Fishermen's Housing
The fishing communities have argued that the land has a long association with local fishermen and should be used to address their residential needs.
Fishermen have sought to build houses for members of the community on the same land—not another site. They also have called for the return of what they call their ancestral land.
According to previous reports, fishing community representatives have claimed that families were relocated from parts of the area in the 1950s with promises in hand that better housing would be provided. They insist that those demands are not met.
Fishermen from neighbouring villages join the protest.
The opposition has extended to Pattinapakkam and representatives and residents of several fishing villages are also supporting the local community.
Earlier meetings were attended by fishing communities from all across Chennai's coastline. DT Next reported that representatives from 36 fishing villages had extended support to Pattinapakkam fishermen at another meeting.
The protesters have also raised issues of the potential effect of a high-security government complex on fishing activities, access to the coast, boat parking, fish vending and other traditional occupations.
Police Presence Increased at Protest Site
On September 29, there were large numbers of police officers stationed around the protest venue. The security was in place as the fishermen and residents were expected to be gathered.
Police were to be present to keep law and order as the protest took place.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Fishermen are protesting against the TVK government's proposed new Secretariat at Pattinapakkam. A large number of police personnel have been deployed at the site.
— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2026
Fishermen from neighbouring villages have joined the protest in solidarity with… pic.twitter.com/ylhRgDNZlV
Government says site is under review
The proposed Secretariat-Assembly complex has been a topic of debate in Tamil Nadu for several years.
The project was initially proposed on around 25 acres of Pattinapakkam and was estimated to cost around ₹1,200 crore. But the government has since indicated that the site is under review. C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, Tamil Nadu Law and Energy Minister, said that no final decision on the construction of the Secretariat at Pattinapakkam was taken as of September 22.
The TVK government's own September 24 statement also said the location was being reviewed and that possible alternatives within Chennai were being studied.
The protests are ongoing over land and livelihood concerns.
A Sept. 29 show of protest from fishing communities is just the latest manifestation of continuing opposition to the proposed location. Fishermen say their concern is for the security of their homes, access to the coast and traditional livelihoods.
The government is now reviewing the site and the issue is still to be resolved. This will shape the next course of action for the administration and fishing communities to decide on, as well as the location of the proposed Secretariat-Assembly complex.
