THE MARINA MAKEOVER

After 20 Mths Of Beautification, CM Throws Open The Beach To Overjoyed Residents

V Ayyappan | TNN

Dec 21, 2009:

Chennai: On Sunday, at the fabled Marina Beach, nine-year-old Akash was glad to get a clean granite parapet to keep his book and do his homework. On past occasions, when he and his parents sat on the sands everytime they came to the beach from their congested neighbourhood in Mandaveli, he had to keep his books on his lap. “We are glad that the government thought of providing granite-paved open spaces and lush meadows along the stretch. These are ideal for children to either run around or skate,” said Akash’s father K Ramanathan even as the boy strapped on his skates after finishing his homework.
Ramanathan and his wife are among the several thousands of families who flock to the Marina almost every weekend because the neighbourhoods they live in have become too cramped for their children to play or for them to enjoy a stroll.
Regulars have been watching the beautification works progressing every day, but on Sunday, the tourists and occasional visitors were wonderstruck on seeing the granite-paved promenade gleaming in the lights. “I was surprised to see the paved walkway lined with granite parapets,” said Jyothish Kumar, a resident of Delhi.
“The artistic installations along the stretch are ideal spots to lounge and also to take photos. I am going to take some pictures to fool my friends back home that I have been abroad. The whole place has been transformed in such a way that it will be difficult for anybody to tell this is the Marina by looking at photographs,”Jyothish Kumar adds.
Kuppusamy, a senior citizen and a regular for the last couple of decades, says, “Marina has improved over the years. There are a lot of place to sit and relax which is good for senior citizens.” Anandaraju and Kumuda, who come to the Marina once or twice a month, are happy to see the beach turn beautiful.
“We do not have to worry about sand getting sprinkled on us with every breeze,” said Kumuda, who has come from Valasaravakkam.
“It is good that the government banned beach cricket. Now, they should crack down on the youth who race on motorcycles along the inner service lane parallel to the sands. There should be more police personnel to ensure security and waste bins to keep the place clean. Hope the government will maintain this very well,” said Anandaraju.
“The government should lay a couple of cement pathways from the promenade to the sea. This will be helpful for the people to rush back to the road in case of a calamity like tsunami because it is difficult to walk or run in the deep sand,” he said.
Opening New Vistas

• The chief minister inaugurated beautified Marina beach on Sunday. The promenade from Triumph of Labour Statue to Light house was beautified at a cost of Rs 25.92 crore

• The work was started in February 2008 and was completed in October 2009. Plazas, gazebos and pergolas were included

• The stretch has 14 landscaped galleries with tiled floors and granite walls. These spaces have sitting areas and modern street furniture

• These galleries have been designed to allow good visibility of the sea.

• A four-metre-wide walkers’ pathway in various color patterns using cement tiles have been laid for morning and evening walkers parallel to the sands and Kamarajar Salai

• The lighting has been improved. The light fixtures are in the shape of a seagull

PRETTY PROMENADE: (Clockwise from top) The fountains along the beautified stretch of the Marina; The pergola constructed in front of the Gandhi statue; green lawns at the Marina with new light fixtures; Chief minister M Karunanidhi and deputy CM M K Stalin at the inauguration of the beautified stretch of the Marina on Sunday