Chennai, 17 December (H.S.) : A 10,000 square meter parcel of land located behind Anna Memorial Park and adjacent to the Kalaignar Karunanidhi Memorial on Chennai's iconic Marina Beach has become the subject of a dispute between the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT).
The land, owned by SDAT, was earmarked in 2004 for the establishment of a sailing academy—a dedicated coastal training facility for sailing and allied water sports near the mouth of the Cooum River. The project, which includes a single-storey training block of 729 square meters featuring classrooms, equipment storage, and support facilities for athletes, recently secured approval from the Union Environment Ministry in 2025. SDAT has marked the site for survey and plans to review the design before initiating the tender process in the near future.
In contrast, the GCC has commenced levelling and paving works on the same site to develop a parking facility aimed at alleviating congestion along the Marina beachfront, particularly during weekends and holidays. This initiative is intended to accommodate tourist buses, vans, and cars, addressing longstanding issues of roadside parking.
SDAT Chief Executive Officer and Member Secretary J Meghanath Reddy affirmed the authority's ownership, stating, The land belongs to the sports authority and has been earmarked for the sailing academy project. The GCC has been informed.
GCC Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran acknowledged the site's prolonged vacancy and lack of maintenance, explaining that the corporation proceeded with clearing and levelling for public benefit. He noted that the land could be handed over to SDAT should their project advance.
A GCC engineer added that works are continuing in accordance with senior officials' instructions and government orders to ease public parking challenges.The parking facility is projected for completion within 10 days, while the sailing academy remains in the pre-execution phase.
This overlapping development highlights ongoing challenges in coordinating urban infrastructure and sports facilities in high-traffic coastal areas, with both entities prioritizing public utility in their respective proposals. No immediate resolution has been reported, as both projects proceed independently.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
