The Madras High Court on Monday asked the Chennai Corporation to explain why it had not established a fish market near the Marina Beach.
The court was hearing a petition about encroachments by fish vendors on the Marina Loop Road and wanted to know why funds intended for the beach were not used to establish the market. The court had, on December 5, chastised the Corporation Commissioner for the ill-maintenance of the beach. It had directed him to file a detailed report on the alternative place provided for fish vendors and to clean the beach by December 17. The court also made it clear that the Commissioner must appear in person to explain the plan.
On Monday, Fishermen Care — a fishermen rights organisation — submitted before the Division Bench of Justice Vineet Kothari and Justice Anita Sumanth that the organisation had held a meeting of its members and other stakeholders in connection with cleaning the beach. “All of them are ready to fully cooperate with the Corporation authorities for the cleaning up and upkeep of the beach and other nearby coastal areas including the loop road,” said counsel for Fishermen Care.
Corporation authorities assured the court that they will furnish details about the new market being set up for fishermen behind the building of Queen Mary’s College.
The Bench tagged all PILs relating to the Marina and posted them for further hearing on December 17.
