The orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on dumping debris seem to be falling on deaf ears if what is taking place on beaches in the city is any indication.
Despite the tribunal making it clear several times that the beaches have to be insulated from dumping of debris, truckloads of construction waste, the management of which is the responsibility of the Chennai Corporation, have been illegally dumped yet again on the Marina Beach near Pattinapakkam.
Residents of the fishing hamlet told Express that the spot where the debris has now been piled is the exact place where Vinayaga idols that form the Chathurti procession get immersed in the sea. Given that the violation has come close to Vinayaga Chathurti on Monday, it has led to strong suspicion among the locals that the dumping could be the handiwork of either the Chennai Corporation or the Public Works Department, under whose control the beaches are, to facilitate the idol immersion.