Fishermen from 25 villages in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are moving from physical markers to GPS-based tracking to resolve decade-long maritime territorial disputes. This digital shift, paired with a ₹133.11 crore infrastructure project at the Rayadoruvu sea mouth, aims to fix siltation issues and restore local fishing stability.
A major administrative and technological shift is underway at Pulicat Lake, where decades of territorial conflict between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh fishermen are being addressed through digital intervention. Representatives from 25 fishing hamlets have decided to replace traditional, unreliable water markers—often made of rotting palmyrah tree trunks—with a new GPS-based tracking system. This decision marks a significant attempt to modernize the regional maritime boundary, moving away from physical markers that are easily displaced by saltwater and storms.
The initiative is supported by a planned ₹133.11 crore infrastructure project focused on the Rayadoruvu sea mouth. The project is designed to tackle chronic siltation, which has been a primary driver of the conflict. When silt builds up, it reduces the area available for safe navigation, forcing fishing boats from both states to crowd into restricted waters, leading to frequent friction and territorial disputes. By stabilizing the sea mouth, authorities hope to improve access and reduce the need for fishermen to cross into sensitive zones.
The framework will involve the installation of automated GPS transponders on both traditional and motorized fishing fleets. The National Centre for Coastal Research is tasked with establishing precise digital coordinates for these maritime boundaries. To provide legal enforcement for this digital fence, the state government is moving forward with amendments to the Tamil Nadu Marine Fisheries Regulation Act. These changes are intended to criminalize the tampering of transponders, giving the system legal authority that the previous physical markers lacked.
While the technological and infrastructure plans are set to proceed, the region still faces significant legal hurdles. A violent outbreak in 2014 remains a point of contention, with approximately 199 police cases still pending against local fishermen. Community leaders and local officials acknowledge that long-term stability in the region will depend on resolving these legal issues, including the potential withdrawal of these decade-old charges. The success of the infrastructure project and the effectiveness of the digital tracking system will be the primary metrics for evaluating the project's impact on local economic activity and regional cooperation in the coming months.