Source : The Hindu Date : 02.07.2009

Pallavaram sewerage project cost has shot up to Rs.74 crore, council told

Special Correspondent

TAMBARAM: The cost of the ongoing underground drainage project in the Pallavaram Municipality has risen to more than double its original estimate, the local body’s council was informed on Tuesday.

At a meeting of the municipal council, the elected representatives were informed by municipal chairman E. Karunanidhi that the cost had been revised for the second time since the project work began in January 2006, and had now been put at Rs.74 crore. Construction of more pumping stations, increased cost of construction material, workers’ wages and road cutting charges to be paid to the Highways Department were the three main reasons for the increase in the project cost, Mr. Karunanidhi said.

Three additional pumping stations would be built at Nemilichery, Shankar Nagar and on Anjaneyar Koil Street. The entire project had been split into five packages with the first three pertaining to sinking of domestic lines. Package four comprised the construction of sub-pumping stations and lift stations, while the final package covered the construction of a main pumping station and lines to transport sewage from this facility to the treatment plant at Perungudi.

The original estimate was Rs.36 crore. When preliminary works began, the project cost was revised to Rs.47 crore. Now, the second revision had hiked this to Rs.74 crore. A section of the councillors expressed the fear that ultimately, the residents of the local body would have to bear the brunt of the increased project cost.

Source : The Hindu Date : 22.06.2009

Afforestation drive hits a roadblock

P. Oppili

CHENNAI: Lack of financial assistance and support from government departments has resulted in the urban afforestation programme being given the go-by in the current financial year.

Forest Department sources say in the last couple of years, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) bore 75 per cent of the expenses with the State government providing the remaining cost. Utilising the funds, the Forest Department planted saplings. However, no funds were provided for maintaining the plants.

A senior Forest official says as far as the greening programme is concerned, the Chennai Corporation and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority should provide financial assistance for implementing it. He says the department provides saplings at a nominal cost to private individuals who evince interest. Left without any funds in the current financial year, it has not raised saplings in its nurseries at Anna Nagar and Velachery.

Another official says there is an increased awareness of the need to plant saplings.But, in the absence of funds, the department is forced to say ‘no’ to tree lovers who approach its nurseries for saplings. On the condition of the 45,000 saplings planted during the last couple of years, the official says in many areas, particularly in the suburbs, resident welfare associations are providing care and attention.