20 Dec :Walking along the famous Marina beach will never be the same again for locals and tourists, with viewing galleries, landscaping and fountains, created as part of a beautification project, being thrown open to the public by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in Chennai on Sunday.
The entire 3.10 km stretch from Labour statue to the Light House now sports a new look, with 14 galleries, a four metre internal walkway along the sands and fountains.
A high-tech lighting arrangement has also been put in place to enable visitors enjoy the scenic beauty of the beach at night.
Also on the anvil are facilities like parking areas, creation of children’s playing area, facility for physically challenged and setting up of a food court.
The city corporation has completed the Rs 25.92 crore project.
Corporation officials said the government had taken steps to beautify the beach without affecting the existing ecosystem and after eliciting views of all stakeholders.
The beach lost much of its beauty over the years due to various reasons like pollution, prompting the government to take up the beautification project.
Use of plastics has been banned in and around the Marina in a bid to keep it clean.The state government has funded 75 percent of the total cost, including a Rs five crore grant by the Centre, while the balance was met by the civic body.