Sailing Academy gets the clearance from Central Government

The Central Government has given environmental clearance for Tamil Nadu’s project of setting up a sailing academy in Marina.

In a meeting held in New Delhi on Tuesday, attended by environment experts, it was decided that Tamil Nadu can begin work as soon as possible.

The genesis of the project began way back in 2004, and it was in 2014 that the Tamil Nadu Government allotted 2.75 acres of land to the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association, and a specified amount (Rs. 7 crore) was sanctioned in 2016. And the environment clearance from the State Government came last year.

J. Meghanatha Reddy, Member Secretary of SDAT, who took part in the meeting in New Delhi, told The Hindu: “It’s a huge fillip and boost to the watersports scenario of TN. The sailing academy has been a long-held dream. We have been waiting for a decade now. Now it has found wings. Once we get an official NOC, we will go for tender.”

Ashok Thakkar, founding member and vice-president, Tamil Nadu Sailing Association and vice-president, Yachting Association of India, credited the realisation of the project to the State Government’s tireless efforts.

“It’s a great day for Indian and Tamil Nadu sailing. All decks are cleared for the setting up of India’s first sailing academy in Chennai. Full credit to Udhayanidhi Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and SDAT for supporting the project. When the facility becomes operational, we can host many international youth sailing events”.