Observing that the lockdown curbs were being lifted, the Greater Chennai Corporation should consider reopening the ‘beautiful’ Marina beach to the public, observed the Madras High Court on Tuesday while hearing a plea relating to the beautification of the beach and purchase of uniform vending carts for the hawkers.
Chennai:
A division bench comprising Justice Vineet Kothari and Justice Krishnan Ramaswamy made it clear that they were aware that opening of the beach was a policy decision of the authorities, and added: “The authorities may consider reopening the beautiful Marina beach for public when everything else is opening up.”
After Additional Advocate General SR Rajagopalan’s submitted that the tender process to purchase uniform vending carts and other related works have already commenced and sought more time to file a status report, the bench adjourned the pleas to October 5.
The issue pertains to a public interest litigation moved last year by Fishermen Care, a fishermen’s rights association, seeking to direct the State government to increase the allowance provided to the community during the fishing ban period.
But the bench led by Justice Vineet Kothari had expanded the scope of the PIL by including regularisation of vendors on the Marina promenade and Loop Road, and the plans and steps taken to beautify the beach.
On restricting the number of vendors, the court was informed in December that only 900 persons would be permitted to carry out vending on the Marina beach and uniform smart vending carts would be distributed to such identified vendors at a cost of Rs 27 crore.
During the enumeration in 2017, there were 1,544 vendors. But in 2019, it had increased to 1,962 shops. However, only 808 shops had obtained due licence to set up shop.
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