Mass Signature Campaign Seeking Reopening of Sterlite Copper Plant Gains Momentum

A large-scale mass signature campaign has begun taking shape across Thoothukudi district, with thousands of local residents expressing support for the reopening of the Sterlite Copper plant, citing prolonged livelihood losses since the facility’s closure in 2018.

An action group composed of local workers, transporters, fisherfolk and small traders have been spearheading a signature campaign that will be petitioned to the Tamil Nadu government, the Central government, the Chief Minister, and other concerned stakeholders. The petition seeks the reopening of the plant under a proposed green copper framework that supporters say addresses earlier environmental concerns while reviving the region’s economy.

Since the shutdown of the Sterlite Copper plant, Thoothukudi has witnessed sustained economic distress, particularly among communities directly and indirectly dependent on industrial activity. Transporters, daily-wage workers, small businesses and service providers say the absence of the plant has eroded incomes and led to long-term uncertainty.

S. Murugan, Joint Secretary of the Tuticorin District Lorry Association, said the closure triggered widespread financial hardship. “The shutdown caused crippling distress for hundreds of transporters and workers linked to the logistics and ancillary ecosystem. While public fears initially sparked the protests, the real issue later became broken assurances and lack of communication,” he said. Murugan added that any reopening must be conditional. “The plant should reopen only with firm commitments like strong CSR obligations for local infrastructure and guaranteed direct employment for people from Thoothukudi.”

Reflecting on the shift in local sentiment, Murugan said he now speaks as someone who suffered due to the protests. “The early fears of irreversible health and environmental damage have not played out the way people imagined. Today, most locals would not oppose the plant if it operates responsibly.”

Support for reopening has also emerged from sections of the fishing community, who say engagement and welfare assurances are key.

Evlin Victoria, Secretary of the Sinthiyathinai Fishermen Community, said, “Our support is based on a clear framework that protects coastal livelihoods. Reopening must go hand in hand with sustained welfare towards education, healthcare and community development for fishing families.”

Echoing this, Robert Villavarayar, a Tuticorin fishermen community leader and an active member of the action group, said, “We are advocating a comprehensive support built on three pillars: securing livelihoods through periodic fishing kits, ensuring well-being through local education and healthcare, and providing direct financial assistance for coastal development.”

Supporters of the campaign say the proposed green copper model which is focused on cleaner technologies, lower emissions and resource efficiency offers a pathway to address environmental concerns while restoring livelihoods that have remained disrupted for over six years.

The action group plans to intensify outreach in the coming weeks as the petition moves towards formal submission to authorities.