Fri Jul 04 15:06:51 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text.

**Summary:**

A fishermen’s grievances meeting was held in Kanniyakumari, India, where fishermen voiced strong opposition to a proposed hydrocarbon exploration project off the coast. They fear it will damage coral reefs and their livelihoods. They also submitted petitions regarding subsidized kerosene distribution, groyne construction, tsunami housing, bus service extensions, road construction, and compensation related to a sunken cargo vessel. District Collector R. Alagumeena responded to concerns and outlined actions being taken, including inspections for subsidized kerosene, DPR preparation for groyne construction, and information dissemination about the sunken vessel.

**News Article:**

**Kanniyakumari Fishermen Protest Proposed Hydrocarbon Project at Grievances Meeting**

**NAGERCOIL, July 4, 2025** – A monthly grievances redress meeting held at the Kanniyakumari Collectorate yesterday was dominated by fishermen expressing staunch opposition to a proposed deep-sea hydrocarbon exploration project off the Kanniyakumari coast. The fishermen voiced concerns that the project, for which bids have reportedly already been invited without public consultation, poses a significant threat to the region’s coral reefs and the livelihoods of the local fishing community. The project is intended to explore three sites.

During the meeting, numerous petitions were submitted to District Collector R. Alagumeena. Key demands included: continued distribution of kerosene at subsidized rates, verification of boat eligibility for the subsidy, construction of new groynes at Rajakamangalam Thurai and several other coastal locations, addressing issues with pattas (land deeds) for tsunami-affected housing, extending bus service to coastal villages, and constructing new roads in coastal areas. Fishermen also sought compensation for losses incurred due to the sunken cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3, and asked for detailed information on the location of containers to ensure safety at sea.

Collector Alagumeena assured the fishermen that the district administration had not yet received official information regarding the proposed hydrocarbon project. Addressing other concerns, she stated that annual inspections are conducted to ensure only eligible boats receive subsidized kerosene. She also said that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been prepared for groyne construction in several coastal villages. Regarding the sunken vessel, she pledged to provide fishermen with regular updates on the location of containers.

Padmanabhapuram Sub Collector Vinay Kumar Meena, Deputy Director of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Chinnakuppan, and other officials were present at the meeting. The meeting highlighted the ongoing concerns within the fishing community regarding coastal development and its potential impact on their traditional way of life.

Read More