Corporation installs boards explaining facts about statues on Marina

The initiative has been taken up using the funds from the Centre under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. “Till now, the statues did not have any boards to explain the contribution of the particular person to the society. This initiative will educate tourists visiting Marina Beach, including foreigners and those from other States,” a Chennai Corporation official said.

The beach has statues including that of Bharathiyar, Bharathidasan, Thiruvalluvar and Tamil scholar GU Pope, Mahatma Gandhi and Subash Chandra Bose, and Kannagi, apart from the Labour statue.

The board has wooden frame and lighting facility to illuminate them during the evening. “We are yet to erect boards near Thiruvalluvar statue and Labour statue. Boards will be kept in a few days,” the official said.

The official added the Union government had allocated nearly Rs 100 crore for Tamil Nadu. Of the total allocated fund, Marina and Elliot’s beaches have received Rs 14.60 crore for undertaking a makeover. Beautification and infrastructural works at Marina beach are being carried out at Rs. 8.60 crore, whereas, Elliot’s beach received Rs. 5.97 crore.

The civic body had already installed beach-view seating on the Marina and Besant Nagar beaches with sun shelters. There is also a proposal to provide disabled-friendly walkway towards the sea under the scheme.