Chennai: Under the grips of encroachers for decades, the 2.5-km Marina Loop Road is turning a page and is getting transformed into a vibrant promenade under the Marina Blue Flag Beach project, inaugurated recently by deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
On Friday, GCC floated tenders worth 17 lakh to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) to convert the road into a traffic-free, pedestrian and cycling-friendly zone.
The plan includes reclaiming a 1.2 km stretch, as boats occupy the Lighthouse and Srinivasapuram sides of beach sands. GCC will construct a six-feet-wide wooden ramp for walkers and cyclists along the beach. It will have signboards and markings.
“The goal is to turn this into a promenade. Fish vendors near Lighthouse have been moved to the new market, and vendors near Foreshore Estate will also be relocated, allowing us to reclaim the road,” said GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran.
The tender also mandates consultants to carry out a weekend parking study near the fish market. Based on findings, premium parking slots at 100 per hour will be created on the beach to encourage metro rail use once it becomes operational.
On the beach, GCC plans more benches, two beach-cleaning vehicles, toilets (two each near Lighthouse and Srinivasapuram), and a common recreation area with a closed shelter. About 10 bins will be added, and the Blue-Flag stretch will be maintained by a separate contractor and not the usual GCC’s conservancy operators.
Encroachments on the western side, where at least 4 ft-wide pavements are blocked, remain a challenge. “We are working with fishermen and vendors, offering designated boat parking while ensuring roads and beaches are not encroached upon,” the commissioner added.
Meanwhile, GCC is hiring a private contractor to manage the Loop Road fish market. Out of the 300 vendors in the market, one hundred people, who sell fish daily, have been given the front rows. The remaining, who sell during the weekends, have been given the back rows.
