The Greater Chennai Corporation has removed approximately 120 shops from Marina Beach in the last month as part of the Blue Flag beach development initiative. The civic authorities are now gearing up for Phase III by demarcating boundaries behind the Anna Memorial, indicating upcoming evictions.
Efforts are underway to align Marina Beach with Blue Flag standards, focusing on environmental conservation, safety, and regulated commercial activities along the coast. Shops encroaching on the designated Blue Flag area will be identified and dismantled soon. GCC’s executive engineer mentioned that the ongoing boundary-marking work follows the Madras High Court’s guidelines, with 120 shops already relocated under Phases I and II of the project.
The Madras High Court has specified that only 300 shops are allowed within the Blue Flag beach zone, prohibiting commercial operations in the area. A comprehensive survey by GCC’s revenue department is in progress to document the 1,417 existing shops along Marina Beach. The survey results will be presented to the High Court for finalizing shop allotments within the Blue Flag zone.
The allotment process will be conducted in four phases to adhere to court directives and accommodate eligible vendors. After completing the boundary marking, officials will identify and remove around 50 additional shops falling within the Phase III project area. Phase III of the redevelopment is planned to encompass approximately 23 acres, with the project cost yet to be determined.
Under Phase II, redevelopment work near Vivekananda House is advancing with an estimated cost of Rs 6 crore. The corporation has introduced various public-friendly amenities in Phase I, including recliner chairs, children’s play areas, and designated selfie spots. Phase II has further enriched the beach’s recreational and cultural appeal with meditation halls and reading rooms.
Officials emphasize that the phased redevelopment will harmonize environmental preservation with public accessibility, aiming to elevate Marina Beach into a globally acclaimed Blue Flag destination.
