Concerns over legality, environmental clearances, and statutory compliance have emerged regarding the Marine Esplanade Project at Haddo in Sri Vijaya Puram. The project, which involves construction activity on land historically used as a Hindu cremation and burial ground, has prompted the submission of a detailed communication urging the postponement of a scheduled meeting and demanding key documents to be placed on record.
The communication, submitted by Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray, noted the inability to attend the meeting convened on January 30 due to mandatory presence at the ongoing Lok Sabha session in New Delhi. However, the MP stressed the exceptional sensitivity of the issue and requested that key concerns be formally considered before any decisions are taken.
Among the primary issues raised is the land’s designation in the Sri Vijaya Puram Master Plan as graveyard land. The MP emphasized that any commercial use of this land, including proposals for a restaurant or liquor bar, appears prima facie impermissible under statutory planning frameworks. Questions were also raised about the justification that the land has been “set apart for Smart City purposes,” which, under the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Land Revenue and Land Reforms Regulation, 1966, does not allow commercial exploitation, particularly for liquor-related ventures.
The communication highlighted that the Supreme Court has consistently ruled that state bodies and municipal authorities must comply with planning and building regulations, and no general exemptions exist for government departments unless explicitly stated in law. Continuing construction and public expenditure without full statutory compliance, the MP noted, is a matter of grave concern.
In addition to these issues, the submission listed documents required for review, including planning and development permissions under Town & Country Planning laws, approved building plans, approvals for setting apart the land, statutory provisions permitting commercial use of government land, environmental clearances, permissions for earth-cutting and excavation, and municipal council resolutions related to construction and fund utilisation.
The MP requested that no irreversible approvals or actions be taken before the requested records are made available. Furthermore, the meeting scheduled for January 30 was requested to be rescheduled to a date after February 13, 2026, to allow informed deliberation based on the documents.
The communication underscores legal, environmental, and procedural concerns associated with projects on historically and religiously sensitive lands. It also calls attention to transparency in governance, statutory compliance, and the proper use of public funds.
Bishnu Pada Ray’s intervention has brought renewed scrutiny to the Marine Esplanade Project, emphasizing that adherence to laws and environmental norms is paramount before any further development occurs.
