The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Bench, on Tuesday, directed the Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority to inspect the work carried out by the Chennai Corporation to upgrade the Marina Loop Road and check if it was in accordance with their guidelines.
The Bench, comprising judicial member M. Chockalingam and expert member P.N. Rao, directed the authority to submit the report on March 26.
The Bench, on March 20, had granted an interim stay on the work to upgrade the road based on a petition filed by S. Venkatesh, a resident of T. Nagar. He had alleged that the work was in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules.
He further claimed that the project had encroached into the seashore as the Corporation had levelled about 2.5 metres on the seaward side of an existing road all along the Marina (between Lighthouse and Foreshore Estate). It had also begun laying a road on this stretch.
The area where the road is being laid is within 35 meters of the sea and much closer to the high tide line. The present coastline has to be classified as CRZ-I since it is a turtle nesting area, said the petitioner.
When the case came up for hearing on Tuesday, K.S. Kandasamy, deputy commissioner, works, Corporation of Chennai, filed a counter stating that the road had to be upgraded with cement concrete topping since it was in a damaged condition.
He claimed the work is being carried out as per the conditions issued by the State Coastal Zone Management Authority. He added the study team of Institute of Ocean Management, Anna University issued a report stating that no Olive Ridley sea turtles were seen close to the project site.
The State Coastal Zone Management Authority has been asked to check if work is as per guidelines
