The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Blueprint for beautification of the Marina Beach is ready

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Blueprint for beautification of the Marina Beach is ready

Kannal Achuthan

3-km stretch from Napier Bridge to Lighthouse to be developed at Rs. 14 crore

A computer-generated view of the proposed project.

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation has planned new pathways, service lanes, landscaped lawns and seating space for visitors at the Marina Beach. The three-km stretch from Napier Bridge to Lighthouse is to be developed at Rs. 14 crore as part of the State Government’s beach beautification scheme.

The Corporation’s blueprint for this stretch plans modification and renovation of the existing parking space, lawns, footpaths and service lanes that lie between Kamarajar Salai and the beach. The plan does not propose any development on the beach sands.

“Landscaping architects have designed the project. There will be galleries along the service lanes and pathways for visitors to sit,” said K. Vijayakumar, Chennai Corporation Superintending Engineer (Bus Route Roads). Monuments and statues on the stretch would not be disturbed

Tenders have been floated for the project. Mr. Vijayakumar said the gradient of the landscaping would allow people travelling on Kamarajar Salai to see the shoreline. At present, there are no plans to re-organise the stalls on the beach. Cleaning and maintenance are to be outsourced through a separate tender.

The beach beautification project has been divided into four stretches. The stretch of beach from Rajaji Salai to Napier Bridge would be beautified at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crore. The Marina Beach, Elliot’s Beach and Tiruvanmiyur Beach are the other stretches.

Elliot’s Beach

The design initially proposed for the beautification of Elliot’s Beach has been altered. An activist group that included beach users and Besant Nagar residents objected to the original design, as it reduced the sandy area. The group has also suggested some modifications in the new design. Tenders would be floated after the plan is final. The cost estimate for the Elliot’s Beach beautification is expected to be about Rs. 4 crore.

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