Work starts on Marina Loop Road
Posted on: 22/Jan/2016 10:07:30 AM
Work on the re laying of the Marina Loop Road has begun. The Principal Bench of National Green Tribunal in New Delhi had recently given the go ahead for the project. The Chennai Corporation is carrying out preliminary work on the project.
The Principal Bench comprising of Chairperson Justice Swatenter Singh, Justice M.S. Nambiar and experts D.K. Agarwal and Bikram Singh Sajwan had ruled that the project could go ahead while complying to the conditions of the Coastal Regulatory Zone Notification of 2011. The order also said, The Corporation should not engage in any activity other than re-laying of the road with concrete. No beautification work shall be carried out on the seaside. Lights of appropriate size would be fixed; it should be ensured there is least light towards the sea and they are put out every day between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., from December to February every year. There shall be no widening of the road and footpaths and the stormwater drains shall be provided only on the landward side.
Speaking about this, an official from the Corporation said, Some parts of the road are weak, so we will be filling it up with three layers before laying the concrete road. We will be re-laying the road only within the limits specified in the CRZ. No widening or beautification work will be carried out on the seaside.’
Experts feel that necessary and proactive action must be taken about the fish market in the area. A decision on this issue had been inordinately delayed as it was shifted from one Bench of the tribunal to another and then, finally to the Principal Bench. It is not enough to lay the road alone. The Corporation should take action against the fish market set up on both sides of road as it causes traffic congestion. The government can either remove the fish market or divert vehicles on the road, they say. Some experts, however, have claimed to be unhappy with the order. The road lies in the inter-tidal zone. The NGT order is unfortunate as it looks at the human law and disregards the natural law. In the next cyclone, there will be an effect on the road, they say.
Locals in the area are happy. (We are) happy that no widening would happen on the seaward side. However, the Corporation should excavate whatever has already been laid on the seaward side. Even while having development work on the roadside, care should be taken that the homes of the fisherfolk or their livelihood are not affected, they said.
