The Hindu 28.12.2013
Civic body to take action against fertilizer plant
To follow TNPCB report on air pollution caused in Ennore
Chennai Corporation will initiate legal action against a fertilizer plant in Ennore for polluting the neighbourhood.
Responding
to a question by councillor A. Ezhilarasi of ward 1 during the
Corporation council meeting, Mayor Saidai Duraisamy said, “The zonal
assistant health officer has sent a letter to the Tamil Nadu Pollution
Control Board on August 26. We have also sent a reminder. Legal action
against the fertilizer plant will be based on the report submitted by
the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.”
Ms.
Ezhilarasi pointed to the rising number of residents affected by asthma
due to air pollution caused by the plant. “Many residents have reported
diseases pertaining to bone and teeth. The Corporation should take
action to preventhealth problems,” she said.
Meanwhile,
work on preparation of a land plan schedule for widening of roads such
as Kaliamman Koil Street, has started. “After the Chennai collectorate
completes the work, the council will ask Chennai Metropolitan
Development Authority to utilise TDR (transfer of development rights)
provisions to acquire private land for the widening,” said Mayor Saidai
Duraisamy.
Last year, the council passed a resolution
on use of TDR for widening roads including Kaliamman Koil Street,
Nelson Manickam Road, Paper Mills Road and Sembium Red Hills Road. The
Corporation council will ask the CMDA to issue development rights
certificates (DRCs) to affected land owners. DRCs entitle the owners to
add floor space in lieu of the area surrendered.
Work
on widening Kaliamman Koil Street, a crucial link between Arcot Road
and Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, is expected to ease congestion in Koyambedu.
The civic body has decided to acquire 37,600 sq. m. of private land
located on either side of the 3.1 km road.