CHENNAI: Following the denial of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance and adverse directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has shelved the ambitious Chennai Shoreline Renourishment and Revitalisation Project, first proposed in 2022.
According to CMDA sources, the Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNCZMA) rejected CRZ clearance for the Rs 100-crore project in March 2024. Subsequently, in June 2024, the southern bench of the NGT stayed the project and directed the planning authority to proceed only after securing approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
“TNCZMA returned certain proposals, noting that some aspects of the project were not permissible under CRZ norms and advised CMDA to explore the feasibility of implementing ‘Blue Flag’ beach standards. However, no revised proposal has been submitted for clearance even after two years,” a source said.
Opposition from fishing communities also played a key role in the decision to shelve the project. In June 2023, representatives from 65 fishing villages between Ennore and Kovalam passed a resolution opposing the project, citing concerns over loss of livelihood and increasing climate uncertainties.
Initially conceived to cover a 31-km stretch between Marina Beach and Kovalam, the shoreline project was later expanded to span 51 km, extending northward to Ennore Creek. It proposed to introduce pedestrian walkways, landscaped spaces, temporary play areas, food courts, open-air theatres, parking facilities, and planter installations across selected beaches.
In its CRZ application, CMDA highlighted Chennai’s extensive coastline — from Ennore Creek in the north to Kovalam in the south — noting that while Marina and Elliot’s beaches are major public attractions, nearly 20 other shoreline stretches remain disconnected without basic infrastructure due to pollution and neglect.
To organise development, the shoreline was divided into five thematic zones, and the project area was segregated into five sections to cover five themes: Entertainment (shoreline between Marina and Santhome), health and lifestyle (shoreline between Besant Nagar and Thiruvanmiyur), environmental themes (shoreline between Neelankarai and Olive Beach), art and culture (shoreline between Akkarai and Uthandi), and water sports (shoreline between Muttukadu and Kovalam).
In addition, the state government had constituted a special purpose vehicle (SPV) titled ‘Chennai Shoreline Renourishment and Revitalisation Project Limited’ to implement the initiative.
However, with the shelving of the project, fishermen say their livelihoods have been saved. “Had the project been taken up, our movement would have been restricted, and we would have lost space to anchor boats and dry our nets. The facilities proposed under the project would have attracted tourists, who could have also pressured the government to evict us,” said K Bharathi, president of the South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association.
The CMDA and the government had not sought the fishermen’s opinions during the planning phase, he alleged.