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Public Health / Sanitation

Three urban primary health centres to be upgraded

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The Hindu      06.04.2017  

Three urban primary health centres to be upgraded

Three urban primary health centres (UPHCs) in corporation limits will be upgraded to 30-bedded centres at a cost of Rs. 1.50 crore each.

As per the Urban Health Care Delivery Model, one UPHC should be established for a population of 50,000. As per the Census 2011, the population in corporation limit is 8.25 lakh and 16 UPHCs were already functioning in the city limits. Recently, new buildings were established for six centres, while 10 existing centres were renovated.

Under the model, one 30-bedded Upgraded Primary Health Centre can be established for a population of 2.5 lakh.

Based on the Census 2011, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare sanctioned Rs. 4.50 crore for upgrading the existing UPHCs in Kumarasamipatti, Anna Hospital and one in Annathanapatti.

Funds were sanctioned from the National Urban Health Mission and 10 per cent of the cost was released for each centre for initiating the work.

Officials said that the upgraded centre will have adequate facilities where surgeries can be performed. Tender process will be initiated and work will begin soon. Funds will be released by the Centre in each stage, they added.

 

Restore Adyar, Cooum rivers to past glory: HC

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The Hindu       25.03.2017 

Restore Adyar, Cooum rivers to past glory: HC

Myriad benefits:The court said the restoration of the rivers will ensure unpolluted air and an environment free of health hazards.  

Calls for setting up of high-power panel, dedicated dept.

The First Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday tooksuo motucognisance of the pollution in Adyar and Cooum rivers and directed the State government to appoint a high-power committee and a dedicated department to restore the rivers to their “past glory”.

“The rivers should be cleaned of the sewage and drainage let into them, which is affecting both the ecology of the river and the sea. Sewage treatment plants have to be established at a distance of 20 to 25 km from the city in an area of 50 to 100 acre. The treated water should be utilised for agricultural purposes,” the First Bench of Acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G. Ramesh and Justice R.M.T. Teekaa Raman said.

The Bench noted that restoration of the rivers to their past glory was important so that the public could use them for boating and other recreational purposes, and residents of adjoining localities would get unpolluted air and an environment free of health hazards.

Suggesting that the State government approach the Central government for financial assistance, the Bench posted the plea to June 30 for the government to file its response.

Parking space in hotels

The First Bench initiated the suo motu proceeding while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition moved by S. Ragu of Vyasarpadi seeking closure of hotels and restaurants till they provide parking space, open space and fire safety facilities within their premises.

On February 11, the First Bench headed by the then Chief Justice S.K. Kaul directed the authorities to shut down eateries that did not have adequate parking space.

When the PIL came up for hearing before the present Bench headed by the Acting Chief Justice, the Chennai Hotels Association, which has moved an impleading petition, contended that several of the restaurants/eateries in the city were established several decades ago with proper trade licences.

Calling upon them to suddenly provide car parking facilities in crowded areas of the city is tantamount to directing their closure as it would be impossible for these restaurant owners to provide vacant premises near their facilities purely for car parking.

Recording the submissions, the Bench directed the Chennai Corporation to file a counter affidavit to the submissions and posted the PIL to April 13 for further hearing.

 

Sewage let into water bodies

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The Hindu        24.03.2017

Sewage let into water bodies

A tanker lorry operated by Tirupur Corporation discharging sewage and other liquid refuses into Mannarai irrigation tank.R. VIMAL KUMAR  

The lorries are supposed to dump it at treatment plant at Periyapalayam

The corporation authorities who are bound to take steps to protect the health of citizens could be seen setting wrong examples by way of indiscriminate discharge of sewage and other liquid refuses collected from different parts of the city into various water bodies.

According to City Health Officer K. Boopathy, the sewage and other liquid refuses collected through the corporation tanker lorries should be taken to the treatment plant set up at Periyapalayam.

But corporation-operated lorries could be seen dumping sewage into River Noyyal and irrigation tanks resulting in protests from citizens.

On World Water Day, this reporter caught on camera a corporation-operated lorry letting out sewage into Mannarai irrigation tank. When the driver and another person who travelled on the vehicle saw photographs being taken, they immediately sped away the vehicle.

Discharge of sewage into the Mannarai tank, and nearby water bodies had evoked strong protests from residents in the area on previous occasions.

A corporation official said that the administration had never given any instructions to dump sewage in public places.

Action sought

N. Shanmugasundaram, president of Nallur Consumer Welfare Association, said that the corporation should then take action against errant lorry drivers immediately if senior officials were not responsible for the sewage discharge into water bodies.

 


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