Marina makeover on the cards

Sculptures and unique plants will spruce up the landscape

Stone sculptures from Mamallapuram and plants grown at nurseries in Rajahmundry are going to be part of an effort to beautify the Marina.

A team of officials will visit Mamallapuram on Saturday to finalise the design of stone sculptures suitable for Marina beach.

The landscape design will also be finalised shortly.

At least 5.48 lakh sq ft of space along the beach will receive a new look in three months after shrubs, unique flowering trees and shade grass are planted.

For example, white cassia fistula has been introduced in the Marina Park from nurseries in Rajahmundry.

Cassia fistula trees found in Chennai have yellow flowers. “The climate of Rajahmundry and Chennai are similar. The nurseries in Rajahmundry have unique flowering trees and plants that are not found in Chennai. So, we have taken such saplings from that place,” said an official. Over 400 saplings, including 100 cassia fistula trees with white flowers, have already been planted along the Marina beach from Anna Square to Gandhi Statue.

Work on planting more shrubs, shade grass, bougainvilleas, group plants and trees in a 1234 pattern will begin shortly.

“We were waiting for some rain before planting trees. After the rains, land preparation and planting will start,” said the official.