State seeks CRZ nod to set up sailing academy on Marina

CHENNAI: Sailing enthusiasts and athletes aspiring for Olympic laurels are one step closer to having a dedicated State-sponsored Sailing Academy and training facility in Chennai. The State Sports Development Authority (SDAT) has sent a revised proposal to the Tamil Nadu Coastal Zonal Management Authority (TNCZMA) for clearance to establish the Sailing Academy proposed in the Coastal zone near the river Cooum confluence with the sea at Marina Beach.

The location is strategically important and has vide scope of its continual upgradation and is in a classified recreation area at the north end of Marina Beach. The academy will provide varied types of boats like dinghy boats, sailboats, paddle boats, and kayaks which are characteristically used for training to sail. Nevertheless, the Olympian Class boats will also be used for providing training to enhance the scope and winning opportunities for Indian youth in the Olympics.

On May 8, the member secretary of SDAT, Meghnath Reddy wrote to his TNCZMA counterpart seeking approval for the revised proposal, as per which there would be no development at the waterfront and the academy would only consist of a ground plus one configuration with a maximum height of 12 metres in line with the current day prevailing planning provisions in coastal regulation zone II.

With an overall built-up area of 2,450 sq metres, the academy spread across 2.75 acres would be developed at a project outlay of Rs 7 crore. The academy would have a training area and swimming pools among other facilities on the ground floor. The first floor would consist of among others a yoga hall, gymnasium, classroom and library.

New proposal assures that there would be no development at the waterfront