GCC deploys beach cleaning machines

CHENNAI: In a bid to keep beaches clean, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has deployed cleaning machines. With this move the corporation is expecting to improve tourism along the city’s beaches.

G Prakash, Commissoner of GCC has directed civic officials to use the cleaning machines for cleaning more beaches in southern part of the city. An official said, “We have started using beach cleaning machines at Palavakkam beach, Tiruvalluvar beach and other stretches. We start work at 6 am every day”.

Till now the cleaning machines were being used only at the Marina beach and Elliot’s beach, but the officials told that they have also started to clean beaches near Dooming Kuppam, Nochi Kuppam and Srinivasapuram.

The corporation started this drive as a pilot project after the procurement of eight additional beach-cleaning machines. A total of 10 beach cleaning machines are being used for conservancy operations at the city’s beaches.

To maintain the cleanliness of beaches the civic body has installed bins at more than 50 locations to prevent littering, public toilets at six locations and seating arrangements at 15 locations.

A few months ago, the civic body developed first-aid kiosks, new toilets and tourist infrastructure along the Marina beach with funding from the Central government. But most of the toilets along the beaches are not cleaned properly, said tourists.

The fishermen associations welcomed the move and said that they will be cooperating with the civic body to keep the beaches clean. However, K. Bharathi, a representative of fishermen said “the civic body should also get Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance before implementing infrastructure projects, including metro rail, road and markets”.