Bunk shops on Marina sell narcotics, says councillor

Civic body officials said shops on the beach will soon be regulated as per Court orders. Photo: R. Ravindran

Chennai Corporation councillors on Friday demanded the civic body initiate measures to prevent bunk shops on the beach from selling narcotic and psychotropic substances.

Speaking at the council meeting on Friday, Santhome councillor R. Bommi alleged that a large number of illegal shops on the Marina were selling narcotic and psychotropic substances to students.

“The Corporation should take action against persons who control over 30 shops commissioned illegally on the beach. We are unable to prevent such illegal activity,” she said.

She alleged that a number of young students were visiting the spots to buy such narcotic and psychotropic substances.

The Corporation is likely to initiate measures to prevent additional shops from coming up on Marina beach. Regulation of shops on the beach is likely to be carried out based on directions given by the High Court, officials said.

The number of shops on the Marina has crossed 2,000 compared to the 1,489 that existed a few years ago.

The council on Friday also passed a resolution on the makeover of the Marina.