The Salem Corporation has proposed to kick-start the smart city project by concentrating in forming storm water drains and rehabilitating water bodies.

Corporation Commissioner R. Satish held discussion with the senior officials on finalising the programmes under the smart city project recently. The programme will be implemented in two phases - first phase will focus on area-based development and the second phase on pan city.

On the occasion, Mr. Satish said that the Corporation has prepared a project report of forming storm water drains and laying new roads at an outlay of Rs. 122 crore.

For the implementation of the first phase, the 690 acres surrounding new bus stand and VOC Market have been identified with the guidance of the Centre and the preference of the city residents. The Corporation will create pucca infrastructure in these areas, besides implementing the projects of traffic management.

Particularly under the area-based development programme, the Corporation will accord priority for the implementation of drinking water projects, solid waste management and forming storm water drains.

The Bengaluru-based TATA Consulting Engineers Limited appointed as the consultant by the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Development Fund has already prepared a project report.

The report contained details of rehabilitation of lakes and tanks, rainwater harvesting structures, and repairing and maintenance of sluices of water bodies.

Besides the senior officials of the Corporation, officials of the Public Works Department, Fire and Rescue Services Department, Tangedco, Revenue, Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board, representatives of service organisations, residents welfare associations, traders bodies, transport operators associations, and lorry owners association also participated in the meeting.

The Health Department has served notices on 225 persons to clear mosquito breeding sources in their households and business establishments, following the viral fever outbreak in different parts of the district.

The health department has launched various precautionary measures on a warfooting across the district for the past couple of weeks following the reported death of a few people due to mysterious fever in the rural parts of the district.

Rapid response teams

The department has formed special rapid response teams to monitor the situation in all the 20 blocks in the district.

These teams have been camping in the rural areas and conducting medical camps, besides organising counselling sessions.

According to K. Poongodi, Deputy Director of Health, mosquito breeding sources were being destroyed in Salem Corporation, four municipalities, 33 town panchayats. The department served warning notices on 225 people for their failure to destroy the mosquito breeding sources in their households and business premises.

Meanwhile, J. Meghanath Reddy, Sub-Collector, Mettur, conducted surprise check in the Government Hospital, Omalur on Saturday.

A few deaths have been reported in Omalur and surrounding areas due to mysterious disease in the last few days. A few women and children have been admitted to Omalur Government Hospital.

Mr. Meghanath Reddy inspected the maternity ward, emergency ward, operation theatre and made enquiries with the doctors on the dengue prevention measures and the treatment given to the patients admitted with viral fever.

He also made enquiries with the patients and their relatives on treatment being given to them.

Corporation Commissioner R. Satish inspected hotels, tea stalls, and other shops functioning on the premises of the new bus stand on Saturday.

Later, Mr. Satish visited Meyyanur areas and inspected the work of desilting of open drainages.

Mosquito breeding sources are being destroyed in Salem Corporation, four municipalities, 33 town panchayats.

K. Poongodi,Deputy Director of Health