...But removing squatters from Loop Road still a problem

CHENNAI: The city corporation’s plans to beautify the Marina beach have hit a major roadblock, with fishermen refusing to shift away from the Loop Road. The case is now subjudice, said Greater Chennai Corporation deputy commissioner (works) M Govinda Rao.

At a meeting of stakeholders last week, the fisherfolk told officials of their decision. “We told officials including Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner D Karthiekyan and director of fisheries department G S Sameeran that unless a market is set up along the beach, they will not shift,” said K Bharathi of South Indian Fishermen Association.

In the 1970s, many fisherfolk gave away their lands to the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board which promised to set up tenements for them, Bharathi said. “Now, they have neither land nor a place to conduct business. Over the years, several governments have promised to set up wholesale markets. They say coastal regulatory authority has not permitted them to set up permanent structures. We demand to see that order. For hundreds of years, fishermen have been doing business along the coast. How can we be sent away?”

There are around 298 fishermen doing business at Nochikuppam in about eight areas starting from behind the Light House. The civic body had earlier proposed to set up two markets, each containing 300 shops, but both the proposed spots were on OSR (open space reservation) land away from the beach on the opposite side of the road.

“Just because they want to free the road for traffic, they want to remove us. We have been selling fish here for generations. If they regulate us in a way that traffic is unhindered, we will cooperate,” said Ramesh, a fishermen.

On the beach itself, the corporation has begun beautification work setting up high mast lights, CCTV cameras, toilets, parks, lawns and an open air gym, an even regulating the vendors that dotted the sands. “The corporation has received Rs 200 crore under Nirbhaya fund from the Union home ministry and Rs 11 crore under the Swadesh Darshan project from the tourism ministry. The Loop Road is an issue and we have held several talks. We will sort the issue once the court order is out,” said an official.