HC not happy with Marina closure; will pass orders, say judges

HC not happy with Marina closure; will pass orders, say judges

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:12.11.2020

Irked at continued closure of Marina and other beaches for public, the Madras high court has warned the authorities concerned that it would order their opening if the government did not take a decision.

A division bench of Justice Vineet Kothari and Justice M S Ramesh made the observation on Wednesday when the the corporation authorities said beaches might not be opened for public till November-end.

Wondering why the Marina beach alone was still out of bounds for the public when everything else, including cinemas, have been opened, the judges said: “If Chennai Corporation does not take a decision, then we would have to pass direction to open the beach.”

The bench also expressed its disappointment over the submission made by additional advocate general S R Rajagopal that the beach might not be opened for public till the end of November.

The issue pertains to a plea for regularisation of vending on the beach, its proper maintenance and eviction of fish venders from the Loop Road.

When the plea came up for hearing on Wednesday, Rajagopal filed an additional report on behalf of the corporation and submitted that the corporation commissioner and the city police commissioner are frequently inspecting the beach and Loop Road, as per directions of the court.

As to the maintenance of the beach, the corporation is using 8 tractor-driven beach cleaning machines regularly from 6am to 2pm, the AAG said. As to the tender for procurement of 900 uniform smart carts to be distributed to licenced vendors in Marina, the AAG submitted that the tender was scheduled to be opened on November 10 at 3 pm but the same could not be proceeded in view of a stay issued by a single judge of the court. The stay has been ordered on a plea moved by one of the bidders, he added.

Recording the submissions, the bench directed the registry to tag the petition challenging the tender with the current PIL and adjourned the hearing to November 18.