“The work on creating an inclusive pathway to the Marina Seashore was difficult because the challenge is with out a precedent.”

These are the phrases of Vidhya Mohankumar, founder and principal, City Design Collective, the marketing consultant engaged by Better Chennai Company for implementing the challenge.

Although sure seashores in India are geared up with disabled-friendly infrastructure, the barrier-free everlasting pathway being deliberate on the Marina sands can be the primary of its form.

Taking classes from comparable initiatives in from western nations was additionally not an possibility one might pursue.

Vidhya says the Marina is vastly distinctive. The truth is, no two seashores are the identical. “The currents within the ocean, geography, latitude and longitude and the seasonal shifting of the sands should be thought of whereas planning a challenge of this type. So, we can’t do one thing based mostly on what another nation did with a seaside. In some nations, the pathway extends as much as the water, however in such seashores, the tidal actions may very well be low. So, you can have a picket construction resulting in the water when the shore is flat. At Marina, from the excessive tide line there’s a steep drop. Moreover, the tidal motion undergoes variations all year long — typically, it will likely be very steep and typically gradual,” says Vidhya.

Getting the CRZ (coastal regulation zone) norms cleared was one other problem.

“There was a whole lot of hesitation from the authorities to get the clearance as that is being tried out for the primary time, so a whole lot of homework needed to be accomplished. CRZ laws stated you can’t construct something everlasting and sure supplies had been prohibited,” says Vidhya.

Timber was essentially the most appropriate alternative. Whereas sourcing it, the marketing consultant thought of their availability regionally, and endurance capability. Value was one other consideration: some supplies needed to be modified following value evaluation.

“In February 2021, we had a contractor do a prototype on the seaside freed from value for one metre to verify for its stability,” says Vidhya.

The construction in timber will prolong to 225 metres and finish on the excessive tide line.

“Our understanding is that the tender being referred to as is just to put the pathway the place we provided recommendation,” she says.

Moreover, City Design Collective had given a complete design, contemplating accessibility in varied facets, which included adjustments to the service street in order that it connects from the bus cease to the Namma Chennai selfie level, and accessible bogs and parking space. Not one of the afore-mentioned options are being presently launched. “A number of different options that we provided have been eliminated with the reassurance that they might be taken up individually,” says Vidhya.

Past the excessive tide line, seaside wheelchairs should be operated to make sure entry.

As soon as the pathway is up, the subsequent large process can be to take care of the construction, which incorporates making certain safety in opposition to vandalism.