Shops allotted to 300 vendors on Marina Beach

300 shops were allotted to vendors at Marina Beach under court supervision, prompting petitions for more space from remaining vendors.

The draw of lots for the allotment of 300 shops to vendors at Marina Beach was conducted at Amma Maaligai on the Ripon Buildings complex on Thursday (February 12, 2026), in compliance with orders of the Madras High Court.

The process was carried out under the supervision of former Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court N. Paul Vasanthakumar, with the support of an Adhoc Committee comprising Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) officials led by Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran.

The draw for the food category began at 10 a.m., with one vendor participating. Five persons with disabilities who had submitted valid documents were selected under the 5% quota, and shop numbers were allotted by draw of lots. The remaining 95 allotments were made under the general category. Ten persons were selected for the waiting list, according to the Revenue and Finance Department of the GCC.

At 2 p.m., the draw for the decoration and gift category was held. One eligible applicant was selected under the 5% quota for persons with disabilities and allotted a shop. The remaining four shops under the quota were merged with the general category, and 99 persons were selected. Ten persons were placed on the waiting list.

At 4.30 p.m., three eligible applicants were selected under the 5% quota in the toy category, and 97 persons were chosen under the general category. Ten persons were added to the waiting list. The proceedings concluded at 5.30 p.m., and details were uploaded on the Chennai Corporation’s notice board and website at 6 p.m.

Sasi Kumar, who heads vendor associations including Anaithu Kadalora Vyabarigal Sangam, said there were 1,996 shops in total at the beach, of which only 300 had been allotted space to set up establishments. “What will the remaining vendors do? All have families to feed and no other livelihood.”