The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has announced a ₹5,000 fine for anyone caught littering or dumping garbage at Marina Beach and other major beaches across the city. The penalty will be enforced under the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, which prohibit the disposal of plastic, food waste and other garbage in public and coastal areas.The move comes ahead of the Pongal festival, a period that traditionally sees a sharp increase in footfall at Chennai’s beaches. To handle the expected crowds and prevent littering, the civic body has stepped up its cleanliness drive by deploying beach-cleaning machines and sanitation workers on a daily basis.
Despite these measures, GCC officials said maintaining cleanliness remains a challenge due to continued public non-cooperation. On average, around four metric tonnes of waste are cleared from city beaches every day, underscoring the scale of the problem.
To ensure stricter compliance during the festive season, the GCC will install Public Address (PA) systems at all major beaches to repeatedly warn visitors against littering. Enforcement will be intensified along the entire coastline, from Ennore in the north to Uthandi in the south, said GCC Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran.