Corporation lays road on beach at Kottivakkam

Chennai: Weeks after tearing down an illegal road built by encroachers on the beach near Arupudaiamman temple at Besant Nagar, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is laying a 1.4km road on the sands connecting Thiruvanmiyur and Kottivakkam beaches without Coastal Regulation Zone-II clearance. The road, which is six metres wide and made of paver blocks, is being laid at a cost of 2 crore. When GCC sought permission from Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNCZMA) on Aug 31 last year, the authority demanded proof that a road existed before 1991, as required under CRZ rules. CRZ-II rules permit "reconstruction of existing amenities" for traditional habitations, particularly fishing communities near the sea. GCC admitted in documents that there was no proof that a road existed there and received no approval. On Nov 3, 2023, then GCC commissioner J Radhakrishnan issued administrative sanction to lay the road.This new road helps none but encroachers who have built structures along it polluting the beach with sewage and occupying the sands. Officials said the road was laid due to pressure from VIPs and joggers in Palavakkam, who want a free stretch to Thiruvanmiyur, avoiding ECR traffic. "There are various retired officials and businessmen living in Palavakkam. They made repeated requests to connect Palavakkam and Thiruvanmiyur through the beach," said the official. Assistant engineer for ward 181 Balsubramaniyam said it's only a temporary road and if authorities question, GCC will remove it. Environmental activist G Sundarrajan of Poovulagin Nanbargal said the govt is supposed to be a role model but here it is the violator. "Seeing this, even private individuals will build houses beaches. If officials say they will remove when some agency questions, what about the money wasted," he asked.Zonal chairman S V Ravichandran said they went ahead as it benefits the public, both locals and beachgoers from Palavakkam to Thiruvanmiyur. GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran said nothing can be laid without CRZ clearance. "We will look into it, and remove the road if there is no CRZ clearance," he told TOI.
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