The much hyped beach beautification that was to take place at Besant Nagar and Tiruvanmiyur will now not take place if the Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA) has its way. The CZMA has ruled that the proposed beautification is against the Coastal Regulations in effect in these areas. This only confirms what environmentalists and the residents of the areas have been saying ever since the beautification plans were announced. Hopefully, unlike what happened in the case of the CMDA’s proposals on FSI, the Government will not bulldoze its way over what the CZMA has said.

'Beautification' at Elliot's Beach

In its recent sitting, the CZMA, of which the district environmental engineer of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is the convener, has rejected the Rs. 7.8 crore project of the Chennai Corporation under Section 2 (XIII) of the CRZ Notification, 1991, that prohibited “dressing or altering of sand dunes, natural features including landscape changes for beautification for recreational and other purposes.” The CZMA has confirmed that it has been extra careful while studying the impact of the proposed constructions, as the Government is the prime mover behind the project. However, it had found that the constructions were all taking place on the sands and had no option but to come out against the whole activity.

The two-year-old beautification plan, deemed completely unwarranted by those aware of the beach’s natural beauty, envisaged a Rs. 3 crore expenditure on building a walkway of 850 m with slip resistant interlocking tiles, lawns, fountains and an elevated sand area for walkers. An additional Rs 4.80 crore was to be spent on facilities such as a yoga centre, a police booth, an amphitheatre, parking lots, toilets, children’s play area and a 2.5 km floating corridor on the sea. Even when the project was at the concept stage, local residents and environmentalists had objected to it. With the exception of the toilets, none of the other facilities was felt necessary. But Government went ahead regardless. And work began on two galleries and a fountain.

In October last, local residents staged a protest when they found hectic construction activity taking place on the high tide line. The fishing community too was against the constructions as they feared that they would soon be asked to leave what has been their home for many years. In response to the protests, the Corporation suspended work and referred the matter to the CZMA with the assurance that it would abide by the latter’s decision. It remains to be seen if that assurance will be respected.

To add to the problem, the PWD in 2007 began restoring a long-abandoned structure on the beach which went by the name of Governor’s Bungalow. Once a changing hut for the Governors before and after they took a dip in the sea, none today could recall this structure ever being used. Protests notwithstanding, and though the bungalow violated all CRZ regulations, the renovation was completed, thereby taking away valuable beach space. It is not clear if the CZMA’s ruling covers the Governor’s Bungalow as well. But if it does, it means more funds being spent on dismantling what was built in clear contravention of law.