Chennai: Brief commotion was witnessed on the sands of the Marina beach on Saturday, after civic officials carried out a space demarcation exercise for hundreds of shops that have mushroomed all over the beach. It was met with opposition from angry shopkeepers, who claimed that the move would affect their livelihood. During summer season, several makeshift shops have cropped up on the beach, adding to the existing 400-odd vendors.
For the past three days, corporation officials had been identifying and earmarking space for these shops so as to “put them within a square box”.“This would enable us to effectively clear the garbage and keep the beach clean. Despite increasing the manpower as well as using machines, garbage is strewn all over the beach. Furthermore, the service lane is cluttered with shops, thereby preventing access for beach-goers,” a corporation official, involved in the exercise, said.
On Saturday, civic body officials, with the help of the police, attempted to shift the shops to their identified space. However, the vendors resisted the move.While a majority of the vendors said it would affect their livelihood, Jothi Lakshmi, who sells sundal, said, “They say our shops are scattered and ruining the beauty of the beach, but I think the scattered layout helps in safety. Since we are ‘everywhere’, instances of theft or harassment can be prevented.”
According to the corporation official, the vendors have been given three days to shift their shops. “We are not against them, but this move is intended to keep the pride of Chennai clean and more welcoming for visitors,” he said.
