Encroachers take over Loop Road again

Chennai: Cocking a snook at a series of Madras high court orders, and setting at naught the beach restoration work done over the years, a large number of street vendors returned to occupy a 3km-long stretch of Loop Road along Marina Beach on Friday. The weekend ahead will likely see more shops returning, while Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and city police showed no interest in stopping the takeover.

Since 2024, GCC has been partially enforcing court orders to remove stalls from the beaches and accommodate more than 300 vendors in the newly built multi-crore fish market at Nochikuppam. But over the past week, more than 100 vendors have returned, occupying the sands with stalls, ice boxes and boards. The barricades and booths erected to keep the encroachers off were deserted on Friday.

When asked, deputy mayor Mahesh Kumar said they had stringently enforced the orders and moved the stalls. “We had plans to keep the beaches suited for public use and and promote tourism. Now, it has all been reversed. GCC officials must retain the original plans and abide by orders,” he said.

While about 1km of the 3km stretch was encroached only recently, the remaining 2km already had stalls. These vendors were to be shifted to a fish market built at Srinivasapuram. But the fate of the project hangs in the balance after the change of govt.

“The Loop Road is completely encroached. The situation is no better inside the market. Chaos prevails there as vendors have encroached the parking area inside the premises. GCC and police have turned a blind eye to the menace. Only courts can pull up these authorities,” said R Ramesh, a civic activist from Mylapore.

GCC officials said they are reviewing the ongoing projects one by one, and they will enforce the existing system. “We are getting to the projects. This too will be reviewed and action will be taken,” an official said.