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.