The Madras High Court on Monday asked the Chennai Corporation to
explain why it had not established a fish market near the Marina Beach.

The
court was hearing a petition about encroachments by fish vendors on the
Marina Loop Road and wanted to know why funds intended for the beach
were not used to establish the market. The court had, on December 5,
chastised the Corporation Commissioner for the ill-maintenance of the
beach. It had directed him to file a detailed report on the alternative
place provided for fish vendors and to clean the beach by December 17.
The court also made it clear that the Commissioner must appear in person
to explain the plan.

On Monday, Fishermen Care — a fishermen
rights organisation — submitted before the Division Bench of Justice
Vineet Kothari and Justice Anita Sumanth that the organisation had held a
meeting of its members and other stakeholders in connection with
cleaning the beach. “All of them are ready to fully cooperate with the
Corporation authorities for the cleaning up and upkeep of the beach and
other nearby coastal areas including the loop road,” said counsel for
Fishermen Care.

Corporation authorities assured the court that
they will furnish details about the new market being set up for
fishermen behind the building of Queen Mary’s College.

The Bench tagged all PILs relating to the Marina and posted them for further hearing on December 17.