CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has ordered that, apart from stalls selling food items, toys and fancy goods, no other shops should be permitted along Marina Beach.
In connection with a case relating to the regulation of shops on the beach, a Bench comprising Justices R Suresh Kumar and AD Jagadish Chandira conducted a personal inspection of Marina Beach on December 22.
When the case came up for hearing, the judges pointed out that a portion of the beach has already been declared a Blue Flag certified area and that steps are under way to declare two more stretches as Blue Flag-certified zones.
The Bench further directed that steps should also be taken to declare the 35-acre area behind the memorials of former leaders as a Blue Flag-certified zone and ordered that no shops should be set up in any area that receives such certification.
A beach is meant for people to enjoy and should not be turned into a shopping mall; commercial activities should not obstruct the experience of tourists
Taking note of permanent shops functioning behind the Labour Statue, the Bench ordered their removal. Observing that no other beach in the world has such a large number of shops and that these outlets obstruct the view of the sea from the road, the Bench said the proposal to set up 1,417 shops must be revisited and the number substantially reduced.
Only shops selling food items, toys and fancy goods may be permitted, the judges said, adding that other shops were unnecessary. A beach is meant for people to enjoy and should not be turned into a shopping mall, they observed, stressing that commercial activities should not obstruct the experience of the public and tourists.
Granting time to the Greater Chennai Corporation to submit a revised plan with a reduced number of shops, the Bench adjourned the hearing to January 8.