Following opposition from environmental activists, the Chennai Corporation on Thursday decided to shelve civic development projects proposed on the city’s beach sands.
Speaking at a meeting with environmental activists, Mayor Saidai Duraisamy said the beautification projects proposed on the western part of the beaches, permitted by the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority, would be implemented shortly.
“The Mayor assured us that works on the eastern part of the beaches, on the sands, will be scrapped,” said environment activist Nityanand Jayaraman.
The project covers development of walkways and the creation of benches, a gallery, bicycle track, concrete roads, rainwater trenches and streetlight fittings.
The Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority has already asked the Corporation to submit a report on the breeding of Olive Ridley turtles along Marina Loop Road from Lighthouse to Srinivasapuram.
Fishermen have also resisted the implementation of a component of the beautification project covering southern beaches such as Neelangarai, Kottivakkam and Palavakkam.
DMK councillors file complaintDMK councillors on Thursday filed a complaint against Mayor Saidai Duraisamy, alleging “abuse” and “misuse” of official position in favour of a private party who had earlier, reportedly, requested the intervention of the Corporation on an encroachment issue.
The councillors submitted petitions to the Home Secretary and DGP, demanding action against the Mayor for “criminal intimidation” of an advocate for allegedly encroaching on a piece of land. “The Mayor should only focus on civic issues. He should not have told the person that the Corporation will initiate action against the encroacher,” said DMK councillor Subhash Chandra Bose.
