A turtle information centre at Neelankarai, sewage treatment plants for five fishing settlements and facilities to use the treated water for conservation of local vegetation are the key changes suggested for the beach beautification project from Thiruvanmiyur to Neelankarai.
Environment experts and marine biologists met Chennai Corporation officials on Monday to incorporate the changes in the draft detailed project report for beautification of Kottivakkam, Palavakkam and Neelankarai beaches.
The design of the turtle information centre will also include facilities to conduct workshops for students without violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
“We will also shift the streetlight fittings from the beach side of the road in a number of spots. The project has been redesigned without affecting any of the five fishing settlements,” said an official.
“Existing beach vegetation will have to be preserved to prevent soil erosion. The treated sewage for residential areas will be used to water the vegetation,” he added.
Lighting facilities proposed near the sculpture art gallery, a 4.1-km jogging track, cricket pitch, football ground and volleyball court will be reviewed to identify challenges to turtle nesting.
The changes in the number of estimated visitors will also be tracked and based on this, minor design changes are likely.
Over 1,400 visitors to the Neelankarai beach, 600 visitors at Palavakkam and 700 at Kottivakkam were recorded during weekends in an earlier study.
Environment experts and marine biologists also screened proposals such as parks for children, first-aid booths, a watch tower, streetlights and emergency telephones to identify aspects that disturb the environment.
A final decision on the changes will be made this week.
As part of the beach beautification project announced in the 2013-2014 budget, the work on the makeover of the beaches is expected to commence shortly.
Residents of the fishing settlements have already given their nod for the Rs. 55-crore project to be implemented according to the provisions of CRZ II norms.
Stainless steel railingsChennai Corporation on Monday inaugurated a project to beautify bridges and flyovers, which will soon be adorned with stainless steel railings.
Stainless steel railings will come up on Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai-TTK Road flyover at a cost of Rs. 1.32 crore.
The new initiative will use non-corrosive steel plates to prevent damage because of proximity the coastline.
