The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is upgrading Marina Beach, Thiruvanmiyur, Palavakkam, and Uthandi to meet international Blue Flag standards.

Marina Beach’s facelift is nearly complete, with eco-friendly infrastructure spanning 30 acres. New facilities include 40 bamboo recliners with umbrellas, 4 watchtowers, children’s play zones, selfie spots, an open gym, CCTV surveillance, and bamboo dustbins. A large bamboo arch and dedicated spaces for meditation and reading are also part of the makeover.

Accessibility is also a focus—30 beach wheelchairs and improved toilets have been added.

Residents have welcomed the changes, while some fishermen voiced concerns about displacement and water stagnation.

Encouraged by public response, GCC has invited tenders for similar work at the other three beaches, with a total project cost of ₹24.80 crore.

Each development will cover 10–20 acres under CRZ norms, selected by TN-SHORE and the Department of Environment and Climate Change.