The Hindu 10.03.2017
Corporation to dig borewells to manage water crisis
Rs. 33.36 crore sanctioned as part of drought management scheme
With falling water level in Vaigai dam, which has been hovering
around 23 feet and 25 feet (against the maximum level of 71 ft) and low
rainfall prediction by weathermen, Madurai Corporation has taken a
series of steps to manage the drinking water crisis.
Keeping in
mind the need to supply water to all areas for the next 60 days, a sum
of Rs. 33.36 crore has been sanctioned as part of drought management
scheme. In the first phase, Rs. 10.50 crore has been sanctioned to dig
borewells in as many as 125 locations in zone 2 and zone 4 each.
Technical sanction has also been given in this connection.At Melakkal,
the Corporation maintains infiltration galleries through which water is
being taken for distribution to different wards of the city. In addition
to the existing three wells, two more are to be dug up at a cost of
about Rs. 40 lakh.
Cremation yard
The Corporation has
approved, with certain conditions, an appeal from the North Indian
community members for establishing an exclusive space for them for
cremation of bodies at Thathaneri burial ground.
A
decision to this effect was taken at a special meeting chaired by
Commissioner Sandeep Nanduri recently. According to the officials, who
were part of the meeting, the authorities had received a representation
seeking a space in the burial ground where the North Indian community
people had offered to construct a compound wall, a shed and dig a
borewell at an estimated cost of Rs. 30 lakh.
The meeting also
decided to slightly expand the road leading to the Collectorate from
Gandhi Memorial Museum as there were lots of people visiting the Poonga
Murugan Temple now, the officials said.
With Chitirai festival
approaching, the Corporation had earmarked about Rs. 75 lakh from
general fund for arrangements to be made by Health and Engineering
wings. With the funds, additional conservancy workers would be deployed
in and around the temple, drinking water lines established, andtemporary
public toilets constructed.
The Corporation
had also planned to procure sanitary napkin incinerators for use by
students studying in six Corporation schools. The machines would be
installed soon at a cost of Rs. 1.77 lakh, they said.
