Chennai Marina Beach Stall Allotment Proceeds Despite Vendor Boycott
In a significant development at Marina Beach, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) proceeded with the allotment of 300 stalls through a lottery system on Thursday, despite facing a complete boycott from 1,417 vendors. The event was closely monitored by retired Jammu & Kashmir High Court Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar, ensuring transparency in the process.
Vendor Boycott and Lone Attendee
Hundreds of chairs set up at the Ripon Buildings campus remained unoccupied as vendors refused to participate in the draw. Only one vendor, a woman from Purasawalkam, attended the lottery, but her presence did not alter the outcome. Muthu P, president of the Marina street vendors association, expressed strong dissatisfaction, stating that shopkeepers were not consulted. "Earlier, 900 allotments were issued without consulting us. Even now, we were not taken into confidence. All of us boycotted the drive. Government and courts are pushing vendors to the streets and creating law-and-order issues," he said.
Allotment Details and Categories
The allotment process was meticulously organized across different categories. In the food category, nearly 850 vendors were surveyed, with 100 selected for stalls. Five eligible applicants were allotted shops under the 5% reservation for persons with disabilities, while the remaining 95 stalls were assigned to the general category through the lottery. Additionally, ten candidates were placed on a waiting list in case selected allottees failed to take possession.
For toys and fancy items, more than 400 vendors competed for 100 stalls each, and allotments were finalized accordingly. A senior GCC official emphasized that the corporation will submit the allotment list to the court and proceed with removing existing encroachments. "Now, the task is to clear the beach and streamline vending to 300 stalls," the official stated.
Marina Beach Zoning and Development
The 121-acre Marina Beach has been strategically divided into nine phases to balance conservation and vending activities. Four phases are designated as Blue Flag beach stretches, which will remain free of stalls to preserve the environment. Three phases are specifically allocated for vendors, with detailed planning:
- A 250-metre Phase-4 Blue Flag zone is being developed near the Cooum estuary, followed by a 39-acre vending zone spanning 375 metres that will house 100 stalls.
- The already established Phase-1 Blue Flag beach near Anna swimming pool extends 265 metres, followed by a 200-metre stretch near Triplicane where another 100 stalls will be located.
- After the 450-metre-long Phase-2 Blue Flag beach, a 31-acre vending zone will accommodate the final 100 stalls.
- The longest Blue Flag stretch, Phase-4, spans 600 metres near the lighthouse, with an additional 100-metre strip earmarked for limited vending.
This zoning aims to enhance the beach's appeal while managing commercial activities effectively. The GCC's move underscores ongoing efforts to regulate vending and improve public spaces, despite resistance from the vendor community.
