Rs 47 crore project includes road development
Marina beach in Chennai. (Photo: File/DC archives)
CHENNAI: Rushing before the model code of conduct came into play, the civic body sanctioned a few schemes across the city so that the projects would not be hit during poll time.
One such was the works on beautification of the Marina beach stretch, which was kick-started on March 1 by the corporation. But this seems to have not made a difference as there is no development till date.
The Rs 47 crore project included improving the stretch from Kamaraj Salai junction to Pattinapakkam junction. It was announced that the roads would be widened and laid with concrete, wide pavements and cycle tracks would be laid, and decorative lamps, fountains and landscapes would be set up along the stretch.
Till now, neither a cycle track nor concrete roads have come up in the area. This time, elections cannot be cited as a reason for the delay as the works commenced well before the model code of conduct was in place.
But a corporation official said the works would speed up after the elections get over. “Even now, the works are on but will not be visible as they are in their preliminary stages,” the official claimed.“However, once the elections are over, the works would get faster,” he added.
Pon Muthu, a businessman in the city, says, “The beach has good infrastructure but further enhancement could be taken up. Presence of cycle tracks will encourage Chennaiites to do their bit in having a pollution-free city.”
“There is a huge tourist crowd that visits the city and the beach every day. Advanced infrastructure would cut a good picture of our city before tourists,” said Joy Louis, a resident of Nungambakkam.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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