Madras High Court Caps Marina Beach Shops At 300, Orders Allotment By Draw Of Lots Under Judicial Supervision

The Madras High Court has directed the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to restrict the number of shops at Marina Beach to 300, to be evenly distributed across three categories- eatables, toys, and fancy goods/souvenirs.

The Court mandated that allotment must be done only through a draw of lots, under the supervision of a retired High Court judge, to ensure transparency and fairness.

The Bench flagged the absence of a proper regulatory scheme for street vendors at Marina Beach and noted that unregulated vending causes public inconvenience and administrative chaos.

Emphasising the need for structured regulation, the Court also endorsed the expansion of Blue Flag zones to improve cleanliness and public access.

[S Devi v. The Principal Secretary to the Government]