3-hour vehicle ban on Marina service lane to help morning walkers

The decision came after the Traffic Police received several representations from the walkers as their movements are restricted due to vehicular traffic. “There was no written complaint. But we decided to implement it based on general observation,” said R Sudhakar, joint commissioner of police, traffic (south).

The police have separated the parking and walking areas in the beach with barricades. In the walking area, no vehicles would be allowed during the said time, the police said. Three parking areas have been identified. One, on the side of Kamarajar Salai opposite to the DGP’s office, the second on the service lane on the Marina Beach from the spot opposite to the Slum Clearance Board Office to Thiruvalluvar Statue and the third behind the Kannagi Statue.

The walking areas have been marked from Gandhi Statue to Slum Clearance Board Office and from Tiruvalluvar Statue to Kannagi Statue.

The Marina and Kamarajar Salai attract a lot of youngsters who speed up on bikes with some indulging in daring and risky stunts, posing danger to pedestrians. Because of the speeding vehicles, the walkers were hesitant about using the stretch.

“Not only that, many people come in their vehicles for a walk. There is a lot of floating population on the Marina Beach at that time. We thought it was necessary to regulate traffic to avoid confusion and make way for the walkers,” a senior officer added.

“Around 3,500–4,000 walkers from neighbouring areas reach the Marina Beach for walking in the mornings. A good number of them come in their vehicles. That is why we decided to separate walking and parking areas,” the official added.