Chennai beaches get major makeover

Chennai beaches including Marina and Elliot’s are all ready for a makeover with the financial aid extended by the Central government to promote beach tourism in the state. The development activities are expected to be completed by September 2018.

Marina and Besant Nagar beaches would be getting retrofitting parks. The works for the same will start this month. The Central government has allocated Rs 12.5 crore for Marina and Rs 8.5 crore for the Besant Nagar beach.

Access to Chennai and Elliot’s beaches will improve once the makeover is complete. The authorities are planning to develop beach approach facility for persons with disability near Gandhi Statue and Kannagi Statue. Same facilities will also be developed in Elliot’s beach.

Eight beach-cleaning machines will also be procured with the funds. Currently, there’s one machine being used to clean the Marina beach sands. Five of the new cleaning machines will be put to work on the stretch of the Marina from Labour Statue to Light House.

The Corporation will also develop Information centres at various spots along the beaches, which will be manned by personnel from the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. Marina will get modern toilets in two more locations. The civic body will also develop watch towers, offer facilities such as beach umbrellas for visitors and improve the promenade.