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Corporation to Convene Meet to Solve ROB Hurdles

Tuesday, 10 December 2013 08:51 administrator
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The New Indian Express             10.12.2013

Corporation to Convene Meet to Solve ROB Hurdles

As the Kochi Corporation gets ready to convene a special council to  clear the roadblocks faced in the implementation of Pachalam Rail Over Bridge (ROB) project on Thursday, they would have to tackle many a hurdles, including the divergent opinions regarding the width of the bridge.

Though the proposed width is 22 mts, many argue that a slight change in the  alignment will benefit the public as it would mean less number of evictees.

Rangadasaprabhu, president, Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council (EDRAAC) said there is nothing wrong in changing the alignment from 22 mts to 18 or 20 mts.

“If the authorities insist on 22 mts, the possibility of an ROB will remain a distant dream. Besides, many would be pulled out of their dwellings. Hence, it is highly recommendable if the authorities come up with a new alignment,” he said.

Rangadasa Prabhu said that to avail of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) funds, the authorities would have to submit a  revised version. “It is learnt that the project would not get JNNRUM funding if the existing design of the bridge is altered. Hence, the best alternative is to submit a revised design,” he said.

The Kerala Latin Catholic Association (KLCA) has said that though they are  not dead against an ROB with 22 mts, they feel a bridge with a lesser width   is also favoured. “There are ROBs built in the city recently. But, none of them have the 22 mts. So, why the authorities are clamouring for a bridge with 22 mts,” asks Sebastian Valiyaparambil, general secretary, KLCA.  However, Residents’ Apex Council of Ernakulam (RACE) said they were sticking to the 22 mts width. “We do not need a point less or more than the proposed 22 mts. If it is below 22 mts, it would become a single lane and that would not help in easing the traffic woes. The purpose will be defeated. Similarly, if it goes above 22 mts, it would affect many buildings,” he said.

Town Planning Committee chairman K J Sohan said a policy matter regarding the width of the ROB has to be taken. More details can be divulged only after the decision, he said.

 

Lake Encroachment Removal in 3 Months

Tuesday, 10 December 2013 07:16 administrator
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The New Indian Express             10.12.2013

Lake Encroachment Removal in 3 Months

Various civic agencies have identified encroachments on 121 lakes in the city. Heads of the agencies submitted a report to Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi and agreed to clear the encroachments, totalling 315 acres, and rehabilitate slum dwellers in three months.

“The BBMP said it has cleared encroachments of 85 acres on several lakes. It is also developing 55 lakes, of which, 29 lakes are free from encroachments. The Kowdenahalli lake has the highest extent of encroachment of 34 acres,’’ Justice Adi said.

Justice Adi said the authorities have agreed to shift the families to a temporary accommodation and later to a permanent place allotted by the Slum Clearance Board.

The Upa Lokayukta had visited few lakes last month to check the status and had instructed the BDA and the BBMP commissioners to develop lakes and also set up Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) wherever feasible.

“The BDA is developing nine lakes. The BWSSB has also agreed to set up STPs wherever feasible and treated water will be discharged to the lakes. In some areas, treated water will also be supplied for commercial and industrial purposes. Sarakki and Iblur are the two lakes where STPs will be set up soon,’’ Adi said.

 

BMC pulls down 400 illegal structures in Charkop

Tuesday, 10 December 2013 06:16 administrator
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The Indian Express             10.12.2013

BMC pulls down 400 illegal structures in Charkop

Nearly 400 illegal structures within 50 metres of mangroves were demolished Monday in Charkop's sectors 1 and 2. The BMC, as per directives of the revenue and forest department, is carrying out a two-day drive to remove illegal structures.

The demolitions were done as per a government resolution (GR) issued in accordance with a Bombay High Court order in 2005 that prohibited any construction within 50 metres of the mangroves, said BMC officials.

"There is no question of issuing notices in this case. On Sunday, we also provided locals with a chance to show proof that they have appropriate permission to build their structures, when we convened a meeting with officials in charge of the demolition. No one had any proof," said Vishwas Mote, assistant municipal commissioner (R South).

Around 50 BMC labourers used five JCB machines and five dumpers to carry out the demolition. A range forest officer, tehsildar (encroachment removal) and assistant municipal commissioner (R South) supervised the demolition. Deputy Commissioner of Police Mahesh Patil (Zone 11) and Deputy Municipal Commissioner BR Marathe were also present.

A Buddha idol housed inside an illegal structure caused a few tense moments during the demolition drive on Monday. Local women reportedly asked the BMC to let the structure remain. However, the officials managed to convince them that the structure was illegal and had to be removed. "We respectfully took possession of the idol and removed the structure," said Marathe.

Around 200 police personnel were deployed for crowd control. In the past three days, five locals were arrested under Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 for construction in the mangrove area withoutpermission. "To ensure there are no problems, we detained six persons under sections 151 of CrPC before the demolition. During the demolition, we detained another six under sections 68 and 69 of CrPC," said Patil.

 
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