The Chennai Corporation plans to install additional LED floodlights at 15 spots on Marina beach.
The high-intensity floodlights will improve illumination in a 3.1-km stretch of the beach. “At least 30 LED floodlights of 1,000 watts each will be fixed at a height of 30 m along the beach,” said an official.
Dark spots
Following a series of meetings of stakeholders to improve the look of the beach, the civic body has invited bids for the project estimated at ₹43 lakh. Visitors to Marina beach have pointed to dimly-lit spots, which pose a safety threat to night-time beachgoers.
In 2013, the civic body started improving LED floodlights and commissioned additional high-mast lights on the sands of the Marina, at a cost of ₹60 lakh.
After frequent reports of organised crime were received by officials, two high-mast lamps were installed.
After 2013, there were complaints that the beach had turned dirty and foreign tourists were scared of visiting the place. However, NGOs and marine conservationists have expressed concern over installing floodlights on the Marina sands. “The floodlights will affect turtle nesting on the beach. They will disturb the female turtles. The hatchlings will also not be able to go back to the sea. They will be attracted to floodlights. There is a government order to dim the lights at 9 p.m. during the nesting season,” said Supraja Dharini, a marine conservationist.
