Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar is in the news again, thanks to the Corporation of Chennai’s ongoing ‘beautification’ drive. The latest controversy is over the construction of several concrete structures on the beach as part of this activity. The question being asked is whether such man-made intrusions are at all necessary to improve on Nature’s handiwork?

Construction on Elliot’s Beach

Residents of the Besant Nagar area are up in arms over the construction of a 750-metre-long concrete platform which the Corporation claims will be a viewing gallery for people to sit and enjoy the beach. Environmental activists have cried foul as such structures violate Coastal Regulation Zone rules which prevent permanent constructions near the sea. The gallery also encroaches upon the beach space. Locals argue that those who come to the beach would prefer to sit on the sand and not in special shelters. However, the Corporation is adamant and is going ahead with the construction, claiming that it is part of the beach beautification plan. This is not the first time that residents and environmentalists have fought the Corporation’s plans for the beach. The construction on the same beach of the Governor’s Bungalow, which still continues, in fits and starts has been a sore point as well.

Work on the Marina

Elsewhere, on the Marina beachfront, similar activities are going on as well. The beach­front which, according to many, is already beautiful enough, is being worked on by the Corporation. As a consequence, several stretches of the footpath, which only a few years ago was laid with interlocking bricks and which were in very good condition, have been ripped open and work is going on to lay new pathways. There is also a proposal to landscape the entire area with lawns, artificial mounds, more statuary, and lights. This is entirely unnecessary activity, as those who come to the beach do so to enjoy the sea, the waves, the sand and the sun and are not looking for ornamental gardens. It is the considered view of beach regulars that the Corporation would be better off spending this money on other areas which are badly in need of basic civic amenities with nothing being done for them.

The civic authorities’ ideas on realigning or changing the face of natural beauty are not new. The continuing feud between the Consumer Action Group and the Corporation over the Adyar Creek is yet another instance. The CAG has continuously opposed any move to build information centres and other structures in the Creek and only this opposition has ensured that the place has not been transformed into a built-up area.

In the meanwhile, the threats to open spaces by way of beautification continue in other forms as well. The Madi Poonga on the old city wall was decrepit but still accessible till it was taken over for beautification. Despite being a part of a structure protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, it was transformed into something out of a cinema set and then permanently locked up! Now it appears that the park and play area opposite Fort St. George will have a similar fate.

Work opposite the Secretariat & Legislature

This space, part of land reclaimed from the sea, was originally a tree-lined park and, later, was transformed into a car-parking facility for visitors to Fort St. George. The open space was macadamised and left as it is for this. In 2003, there was a proposal to construct a helipad here for the use of the Chief Minister, but this was later shelved. Recently, the park has been witnessing hectic construction activity. Bricks have been stored here and forklifts and other mobile equipment have made it their home. Those working in the area when asked about what was coming up did not have a clear answer. But, is it wise to build anything permanent here, considering that it faces a heritage precinct which has every potential to become a World Heritage Site with a sound ‘n’ light show on its ramparts and a park opposite as a viewing gallery?