The Hindu 12.04.2013
Vellore Corporation to plant 50,000 saplings
Desilting water bodies, solar power for offices planned.
The Municipal Corporation of Vellore contemplates planting 50,000 trees in the city with the help of government departments, non governmental organisations and from its own sources.
This plan found a mention in the budget submitted by Mayor P. Karthiyayini in the council on Wednesday. The budget proposes to spend about Rs. 132 crore with Rs. 13.42 lakh deficit in revenue.
The major spending would be on infrastructure to improve the basic amenities. About Rs. 44 crore has been allotted for building public toilets, parks, bus stand, electric crematorium, bridges, street lights, vehicles and equipments. Another Rs. 21.22 crore has been allotted for drinking water supply, rain water drainage and Rs. 2.12 crore has been allotted for primary school buildings and furniture.
Some of the plans proposed are construction of a commercial complex and Corporation Zonal Office in the old corporation office building and seeking permission from the State government to fix tax rates of village panchayat areas annexed with corporation on a par with Corporation rates.
Providing additional amenities to the schools maintained by the Corporation and to take up sanitary work on a daily basis , installation of solar power systems in Corporation buildings including the new office, taking steps to generate energy through solid waste management and giving facelift to bus stops with the contribution of private sector are the other major plans.
Preparing feasibility report for deepening of water bodies in the Corporation limits like Otteri, Palavansathu Eri, Velavadi Eri, Kazhinjur Eri, Katpadi Eri, Thorappadi Eri and Sitheri in order to develop drinking water sources; taking up maintenance work of Sarathi Maligai and other Corporation buildings and developing a herbal garden in Corporation office are also in the offing.