CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the appointment of retired judge N Paul Vasanthakumar to monitor the process of allotting shops at Marina Beach in the city.
S Devi, a resident of Triplicane, filed a petition before the High Court seeking the allotment of a shop at Marina Beach. The judges ordered that, as per the earlier directions already issued, only 300 shops should be allowed at Marina Beach to sell food items, fancy items, and toys.
When the case came up for hearing before the Bench comprising Justices R Suresh Kumar and AD Jagadish Chandira, Advocate General, PS Raman, stated that there were four phases in developing Blue Flag beach along the entire stretch of Marina.
It was submitted that Blue Flag's first phase will cover an area of 25 acres, 2nd phase 38 acres, 3rd phase 23 acres, and 4th phase 35 acres and in total, 121 acres of the Marina Beach stretch have been specifically earmarked for these four phases.
The judges appointed N Paul Vasanthakumar, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, as the Monitoring Authority to conduct the draw of lots.
To assist the Monitoring Authority, the Court appointed T Mohan Raj, retired Principal District Judge and former Judicial Member, and R Ranganathan, retired Deputy Registrar of the Madras High Court.
The judges also directed the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to appoint an ad hoc committee headed by the GCC Commissioner.
The date, time, and venue for conducting the draw of lots will be fixed by the former judge. After completing all these processes, the GCC Commissioner shall file a detailed compliance report before the Court, the Bench said and adjourned the case to March 4.