A tight contest amid shifting equations in coastal areas

Nagapattinam faces underdevelopment and resource challenges, impacting its rich heritage and the livelihoods of its fishing community.

Sewage water overflows on Periya Kadai Street in Nagapattinam town. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Nagapattinam, an ancient port town with a layered history of cultural confluence — from the Nagore dargah to Dutch remnants and traces of early Buddhist viharas — faces a paradox. Despite its legacy and strategic coastal location, underdevelopment, fragile livelihoods, and mounting migration driven by a lack of opportunities have become its hallmark.

R.M.P. Rajendra Nattar, president of the Indian National Fishermen Union, said the concerns of the sizeable fishing community remain largely unaddressed in electoral politics. He pointed to a range of intersecting crises — natural calamities, persistent coastal erosion, conflicts between mechanised trawlers and small-scale fishers, and recurring tensions with Sri Lanka leading to arrests and boat seizures. “There has been a decline in fish catch in recent months,” he said.

Basic amenities too remain a concern. “In several fishing hamlets, drinking water is supplied only once in two weeks. The Nagapattinam fishing harbour has not seen meaningful upgrades since the tsunami, and lacks essential facilities,” he added.

Echoing civic concerns, CPI(M) town secretary K. Vengatesan said irregular drinking water supply continues to affect several municipal wards. “In many parts of the town, sewage canals are dysfunctional,” he said. Highlighting gaps in education and tourism infrastructure, he said: “There is no government boys’ higher secondary school in the town area; only aided schools function here, which limits access to several government schemes. Despite international footfall to Velankanni and Nagore, there is no proper tourism infrastructure. Even the Tamil Nadu Tourism guest house has remained defunct for years.”

On the industrial front, Mr. Vengatesan said the SIDCO estate remains underdeveloped, with no major investments. “Nagapattinam was once a thriving port that attracted people from districts such as Madurai and Ramanathapuram in search of livelihood. That economic vibrancy is no longer visible,” he said.