Chennai Cracks Down on Beach Littering with Hefty ₹5,000 Fine
The Greater Chennai Corporation has taken a firm stand against beach littering. They announced a significant penalty of ₹5,000 for anyone caught discarding waste on Marina Beach and other coastal areas in the city. This enforcement drive will start just before the Pongal holiday rush, when visitor numbers are expected to skyrocket.
Protecting Tourist Spots and Public Health
This move directly targets the protection of key tourist attractions like beaches from littering. Officials highlight that such waste poses serious public health risks. A senior GCC official explained the situation clearly.
"According to existing rules, dumping waste in public places is strictly prohibited. Despite our repeated advisories, visitors continue to litter on the shore or drop waste beside overflowing bins. This leaves entire stretches unsightly and unhygienic," the official stated.
Strict Enforcement During Pongal Holidays
With a massive influx of visitors anticipated during the Pongal holidays, the GCC is urging the public to cooperate fully. They ask people to use only the designated bins and support sanitation workers in their efforts.
C A Balamurali, Chief Engineer for Solid Waste Management at GCC, issued a clear warning. "Violators will face an on-the-spot fine of ₹5,000 under the relevant legal provisions," he confirmed.
The civic agency plans to deploy special enforcement teams specifically to collect these fines. Additionally, they will utilize 22 beach-combing vehicles for efficient waste collection across the affected areas.
Comprehensive Cleaning Operations in Place
At Marina Beach, the GCC has engaged Chennai Enviro Solutions to manage cleaning operations. This includes operating seven specialized beach-cleaning machines and deploying 274 sanitation workers in rotational shifts. These teams clear an average of about four tonnes of waste every single day.
Similar arrangements are actively in place at other popular beaches. This includes Besant Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Palavakkam, Neelankarai, Akkarai, and Tiruvottiyur.
Residents Voice Concerns Over Indiscriminate Waste
Despite these measures, residents report ongoing issues. Komal Agarwal from the Puzhal Balaji Nagar Residents Welfare Association pointed out a persistent problem.
"Even with numerous dustbins available on the beaches, people still dispose of food waste indiscriminately. This irresponsible behavior attracts stray dogs and rats to these areas, creating further nuisance and health hazards," Agarwal noted.
The GCC's new penalty system aims to curb this exact behavior. By imposing a substantial fine, they hope to encourage greater public responsibility and keep Chennai's beautiful beaches clean for everyone to enjoy.
