Beaches are gaining popularity as they are less crowded and cleaner
A family takes a stroll on Palavakkam beach. - dc
Chennai: People in the city are moving beyond Marina and Elliot’s beaches on weekends and holidays. Beaches along the ECR, including Kottivakkam, Neelankarai and even Uthandi are gaining popularity as they are less crowded and cleaner. But the situation has also encouraged aggressive urbanisation, illegal constructions and even a beach beautification programme by the corporation, which, conservationists say, is a death knell for the beaches.
Mr C. Munusamy, councillor of ward 191 under which Neelankarai comes, says that over the past few years there has been a good crowd visiting the beach. He says, “On weekends it is at least a 5,000-strong crowd that visits the beach and on weekdays, it is 1,500.”Marina receives nearly 40,000 footfalls on weekends and 10,000, on weekdays, according to corporation officials. Mr Munusamy says that Neelankarai beach is next to Besant Nagar and Marina when it comes to footfalls. Speaking of infrastructure that has been created for visitors, he adds that there is a proper connecting road, lighting and 60 benches along the 4 km beach.
These beaches are located within a 13-km radius, beginning from Tiruvanmiyur beach along ECR. These beaches provide a different atmosphere, compared to the crowded sand mounds of Besant and Marina. No corn carts or fish stalls clutter these beaches. The presence of police booths and frequent visits by patrol vehicles make the stretches safer.
The landscape also stands out with the beach near Kottivakkam lined with plants growing on the hard ground just before the sand begins. As we proceed beyond Uthandi, trees come up with seawater visible at some places.
Krishan Prasad, a second-year student at Amet University, is a regular at Uthandi beach where the corporation limit ends. He says, “It is quiet and less crowded when compared to Besant Nagar and Marina. Though there are no pushcarts nearby, the beach is splendid and clean.” On the other hand, Kovalam beach, a few kilometres ahead and much hyped about, is dirty and best avoided, he says.
Jofin Joseph, a resident of Perungudi, says, “Given a chance, I prefer Tiruvanmiyur beach to Besant Nagar. There is a walking pavement, seats to sit and even a police booth.”
“Until two to three years ago, these beaches were more like private beaches but now every evening, we see groups of families walking along the sand. There has been rapid construction activity. Earlier, there were single storeyed houses, now apartments are coming up,” says Ms Supraja Dharini, a marine biologist and resident of Neelankarai.
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