Fisherfolk of several villages along the East Coast Road on Monday opposed the formation of the Mamallan Reservoir. They submitted petitions at Gram Sabhas held on Republic Day and sought resolutions to be passed.

According to community leader K. Bharathi, people from Kanathur Reddikuppam, Kovalam, and Nemmeli submitted petitions stating that their livelihoods would be lost if the reservoir is established. “In some places, government officials refused to accept the petitions and did not agree to pass resolutions since it was against the government proposal,” he said.

Community leader M.D. Dayalan questioned the rationale behind panchayats passing resolutions against the new 100-day job guarantee scheme, which was against the Central government, and not accepting the resolutions against the State government.