The Hindu 04.01.2011
An eventful year for Coimbatore Corporation
The last 12 months have the seen the Coimbatore Corporation implement a few schemes, which are expected to leave a lasting impact on this industrial city.
The Corporation is implementing the schemes with Central Government funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme. Mayor R. Venkatachalam said underground drainage (UGD), storm water drain, Pilloor Phase-II drinking water and solid waste management schemes were all started in 2010, which turned out to be an eventful year.
Water scheme
The drinking water scheme is a Rs. 100-crore-plus project, implemented in six packages to cater to the city residents. The Government is bearing 50 per cent of the expenses, the Corporation 30 per cent and the State Government the rest. Mr. Venkatachalam said the aim was to complete the project before summer so as to meet the increased water demand during summer. The civic body is also expected complete the solid waste management project, another JNNURM scheme work, by this month end. To successfully implement the project, the Corporation had bought bins, lorries to carry waste in closed condition, push carts, etc. Commissioner Anshul Mishra said the Corporation awaited Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board clearance for the landfill at the Vellalore compost yard before completing the waste management project.
The UGD and storm water drain projects are in various stages of implementation.
In looking back at 2010, it is imperative to mention the World Classical Tamil Conference, as the State Government, through various agencies under various schemes, provided funds to the Corporation to carry out various development works.
“The conference was a boost to the city,” said Mr. Mishra. The Government provided funds to implement three scheme roads – Ranga Vilas Mill Road, Nava India Road and Masakalipalayam Road – and another road.
With the funds the Corporation was able to lay pavements on Avanashi Road and Tiruchi Road for pedestrians, install energy-efficient street lights and also carry out various other activities. The Corporation also managed to renovate 40-odd parks and thereby provide some quality space for Coimbatore denizens to exercise, rewind, recoup and relax. The parks will be in addition to the proposed ‘Chemmozhi Poonga.'
Bus shelters
2010 also saw the Corporation give the city 300-odd modern bus shelters, a new bus stand on Mettupalayam Road, new fish market, abattoir and crematorium and take away a few buildings.
By sticking to the rule book, the civic body ensured that buildings that violated the approved plan and encroached upon public land were either sealed or demolished.
“The drive was meant to send out a strong and clear message that the Corporation will not tolerate violation,” Mr. Mishra said. Opposition Councillors, however, have a different perception. All was not well with the civic body and that many schemes, as promised, were not implemented, they said.
Ward 61 Councillor K. Purushothaman said the civic body had failed to implement the much-need morning snack scheme, aimed at benefitting Corporation school students.
Protest
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam recently held a protest in the city to highlight the failure of the civic body. The Councillor said that eight railway over bridges that were to come up across the city to ease traffic congestion have remained on paper. As for the storm water drain project, he said that the project was not being implemented the way the Councillors thought it would be implemented: the project as was being implemented now did not include lining the various canals, desilting the same, etc.