Corporation of Chennai works to restore a sliver of waterfront

CHENNAI: While beaches in the city are being polluted, encroached upon and spoilt by littering, the Corporation of Chennai has taken a step forward to restore a beach in the heart of the city.
The corporation has begun removing construction debris that was once dumped on the sands of Pattinapakkam. At least 2,000 tonnes of broken bricks and concrete blocks will be removed, after which sand, from the mouth of the Cooum river, will be dumped in the area.
The corporation is spending about 300 for every tonne of debris removed. We are spending about 5 lakh to remove the debris. The area will be restored in 20 days," said an official from zone 9 (Teynampet). Officials are still working out the amount of sand that needs to be shifted from the river mouth, which is done annually to ensure that the river does not stagnate and create mosquito breeding grounds.
The action follows an order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), directing officials to remove construction debris. "The debris were earlier near the river mouth. In early 2012, the NGT directed officials to remove them who in turn dumped it at the beach opposite the Foreshore Estate bus terminus," said K Saravanan, a resident of Urur Kuppam who filed the case.
"In September 2012, another order was passed to remove the debris. The final hearing is on July 4 when the corporation has to file a status report," he added.
Residents of the area and environmentalists have welcomed the move. "Private buses drivers and taxi drivers park their vehicles here. People often come here to get drunk and create a nuisance. Hope police will patrol the the area more often now," said a fisherman, K Yuvaraj.
This part of the beach is also used for nesting of Olive Ridleys, an endangered species . "Marina beach is the biggest nesting site for turtles. And to have lost so much space was a major setback. With the beach being restored, we hope more turtles nest next year," said V Arun, coordinator for Student Sea Turtle Conservation Network.