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Public Health / Sanitation

Work on storm water drains to begin soon

Wednesday, 06 January 2010 02:58 administrator
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The Hindu 06.01.2010

Work on storm water drains to begin soon

Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR: The State government said work on storm water drainage for Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) would begin soon.

“The Centre has already sanctioned Rs. 68.33 crores for storm water drainage in Bhubaneswar under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme. Administrative clearance has already been given for the project. The Water Resource department will be implementing authority,” said a top official in urban development department.

Besides, an integrated sewerage project envisaging outlay of Rs. 754.23 crore is already being implemented in the capital city. While Rs. 498.91 cores has been received from JNNURM scheme, the Twelfth Finance Commission (TFC) Grant has provided Rs. 140 crores for the purpose.

He said Orissa Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project was going to be executed in Cuttack city for addressing water-logging and drainage problems on long-term basis. The State government has secured Rs. 757.44-crore loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency for the project.

Meanwhile, the State government has sanctioned Rs. 14.63 crore assistance for improvement of roads and drains in both Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. According to government sources, the TFC has granted Rs. 12.20 crore and Rs. 11.70 crore for BMC and Cuttack Municipal Corporation respectively to purchase machines and vehicles to collect wastages from individual households.

Moreover, the State government has sanctioned Rs. 1.54 crore as matching grant to Rs. 11.64 crores of Central assistance for improving infrastructure and construction of houses in four slums in Bhubaneswar.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 January 2010 03:02
 

BWSSB’s drainage project suffers a setback

Tuesday, 05 January 2010 10:37 administrator
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The New Indian Express 05.01.2010

BWSSB’s drainage project suffers a setback

N R Madhusudhan

 

BANGALORE: The efforts of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to provide proper underground drainage (UGD) to the newly-added areas of the city has received a temporary setback in some areas as the contractors have quoted high rates for undertaking the works in those areas.

BWSSB has sent a report about five more packages wherein the contractors had quoted high premiums to undertake the work. These packages relate to works that were supposed to be taken up in parts of Dasarahalli, Byatarayanapura, Yelahanka and Bommanahalli CMCs.

As per BWSSB sources, the works include connecting the existing sewage connections to the main lines after they are laid. Hence it is difficult to find people who are willing to do such jobs. Therefore, the contractors have sought high amounts of money to undertake these works.

A BWSSB official said, “If the rates sought by the contractors were 10 or 15 per cent more than the sanctioned sum, the negotiating committee would have tried to negotiate with the contractors and we would have gone ahead with the projects.

However, the contractors have quoted more than 40 per cent above the sanctioned amount. Now, we will have to re-tender these packages”.

BWSSB has already modified a bid of a package that involves works to be taken up in some parts of Dasarahalli CMC and has sent the same for World Bank’s approval.

BWSSB had planned to lay 2,000 kilometres of lateral UGDs and 300 kilometres of main and sub-main UGDs in the newly-added areas of the city at a cost of Rs 965.69 crore. It is in the process of implementing the same.

World Bank is sponsoring the project. Funds from Jn- NURM will also be utilised.

It is supposed to be a timebound project.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 January 2010 11:04
 

Dispose of the garbage, get paid for it

Tuesday, 05 January 2010 02:19 administrator
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Business Line 05.01.2010

Dispose of the garbage, get paid for it

Sree Sakthi launches waste recovery project in Kochi.

Our Bureau

Kochi, Jan. 4

The State Fisheries Minister, Mr S. Sarma, formally inaugurated the unique project, Battle For Waste Recovery, which promises a cleaner and greener city by recovering bio and non-biodegradable wastes through a door-to-door campaign.

The project is being implemented by Sree Sakthi Paper Mills Ltd in association with ITC Ltd and Kochi Corporation.

Mr Sarma said the initiative will go a long way in bringing about a cleaner environment. The Minister hoped that the project would prove a resounding success and would be expanded to the entire State soon.

Sree Sakthi Papers has already grounded the project in 7 wards within the Kochi Corporation. “The response we've received so far has been very encouraging. Within 3 months, we will cover the entire 71 wards of Kochi Corporation,” the Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Sree Sakthi Papers, Mr S. Rajkumar, said.

Get paid for garbage

The project, battle for waste recovery, envisages door-to-door collection of old newspapers, waste papers, plastic and metallic wastes. “In the olden days, people had to pay for disposing of the garbage. But, in our case, we're going to pay them for giving us the garbage”, Mr Rajkumar said.

It is estimated that Kochi would churn out about 2500 tonnes of waste a month. Sree Sakthi Papers has set a moderate target of clearing 45 to 50 tonnes of waste a day to begin with.

Mr Rajkumar said the project, besides bringing about a healthy environment, was also an employment generating opportunity.

A waste collection team would visit households, commercial establishments at regular intervals for collecting the wastes. Each household/establishment would be provided with plastic bags in which paper, plastic and metallic wastes could be stored separately.

“Our people will regularly remove the wastes. Currently, waste paper products would be collected by paying Rs 4 a kg while plastic/metallic wastes would be paid Rs 2.50,” Mr Rajkumar said.

To ensure transparency, weight of the wastes would be taken separately using electronic balances. Proper receipts would be also issued for the wastes received and the money paid.

The inaugural function was presided over by the Mayor of Kochi Corporation, Ms Mercy Williams. The Deputy Mayor, Mr,C.K.Mani Shankar, delivered the welcome address.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 January 2010 02:20
 
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