Chennai: While the locality of Adyar in the city can pride itself on several well-maintained beaches like Elliots and Thiruvanmiyur, the one in Palavakkam had a different story to tell.
With little to no amenities for users, the seaside was in dire straits, until residents here decided to take up matters into their own hands.
Now, the Palavakkam Beach Walkers Welfare Association that is registered under the Tamilnadu Societies Registration Act, is actively engaging with the city Corporation to develop the beach into a user-friendly place.
With the efforts of the 200-membered group, the space now has benches arranged, with vendors and hawkers removed off the sands.
Speaking to ‘News Today’, its secretary, M Selvaraj said,”Several people, mostly senior citizens take morning and evening walks here. We therefore wanted to develop a one kilometer stretch from Palavakkam to Neelankarai Kuppam. Unauthorised shops that were selling eatables were moved to a place where they can conduct their business without hindering the walkers and joggers.”
Apart from this, he said, the Corporation has also provided 10 stone benches for visitors to relax and enjoy the breeze.
There have been other significant contributions too, like Dr Kanna of Noble Hospital who presented saplings.
“He brings water in his car and waters them daily, until MLA S Aravind contributed two borewells for the plants,” he said.
It may be noted that the association that is headed by retired judge of Madras and Punjab and Haryana High Court, M Jayapaul, along with other groups, frequently engages in cleaning up the premises too.
“This facility was full of litter. Now, it gets cleaned up by voluntary organisations,” said the treasurer V Selvaraj.
The members meanwhile felt that authorities must take steps to release funds for re-laying of the existing road which is not suitable for walkers and joggers, while a police outpost to keep anti-social elements at bay, mobile toilets and a high mast lamp, are some of the other requisites.
For this and more, they are said to meet on a daily basis at this very beach to discuss the future course of action, it is learnt. The association can be reached at 94444 11001.