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Private firms to collect dry waste from houses

Thursday, 05 November 2009 02:44
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The Hindu 05.11.2009

Private firms to collect dry waste from houses

 

Deepa H Ramakrishnan

EOI invited for contract in six Corporation zones for 3 years

— File Photo

HANDLING garbage: The proposal to involve private agencies in recyclable waste management is likely to reduce load on garbage dumps of the Chennai Corporation.

CHENNAI: Private agencies will soon take up door-to-door collection of plastic and other recyclable and non-biodegradable waste in several parts of the city.

The Chennai Corporation has invited expression of interest (EOI) from private firms for awarding the contract in six of its 10 zones for three years.

The selected firm would be required to collect the waste, including hardboards, tyres and paper, using its own men and machinery. The six zones are Tondiarpet, Basin Bridge, Ayanavaram, Anna Nagar, Nungambakkam and Saidapet.

A senior official said that the objective is to make households take up segregation of garbage on a regular basis. Already it is being tried out in four wards of Zone 5 (Anna Nagar) on a trial basis. Every month, about 45 tonnes of recyclable waste is being collected from the households.

ITC, which is involved in the operation, uses dry waste in its factories. It pays Rs.2 for a kg of such waste to the households, the official said. The Corporation provides tricycles to the ITC staff involved in the operation and the civic body’s conservancy staff accompany them on their rounds.

He said a few more companies had evinced interest to take up collection of such waste for use in their manufacturing facilities. “We are not taking the tender route, but only inviting expression of interest as there is a possibility of more companies participating that way. The idea is also to approach the issue of waste management in a different manner.”

However, the Corporation conservancy staff will continue to collect wet waste in the six zones and take them to the regular landfills.

“If the initiative takes off, it will reduce the burden on landfills, help recycle waste and prevent further environmental damage,” another official said.

Last Updated on Thursday, 05 November 2009 02:45
 

Cricket banned along the Marina in Chennai

Thursday, 05 November 2009 02:42
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The Hindu 05.11.2009

Cricket banned along the Marina in Chennai

Staff Reporter

The announcement comes after a series of clashes recently

Police chase youngsters playing on service road

CHENNAI: A ban on playing cricket along the Marina beach was announced on Tuesday after a joint consultation meeting here.

It was also decided at the meeting that 228 playgrounds spread across 10 zones of the Chennai Corporation would be made available for youngsters who want to play cricket.

Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi, City Police Commissioner T. Rajendran and the Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni were among those who participated in the meeting.

The announcement comes after a series of incidents recently in which the police chased away youngsters playing cricket on the Marina, particularly on the service road. A group of 2,000 people had protested on Sunday against the police action.

According to officials, factors such as representations received from walkers, hindrance caused to vehicles using the service road and maintaining the facilities which the Corporation had installed as part of the beach beautification programme were taken into account before imposing the ban.

Some of the playgrounds which would henceforth be open to cricket enthusiasts include the grounds at May Day Park, Gopalapuram, Turnbulls Road, Nandanam Extension, Mandaveli South Cooum Road, Thiru.Vi.Ka Nagar and the Pattinappakam Housing Board playground.

Reacting to the decision, some representatives of residents of Triplicane said the move was unfortunate.

“I’ve been playing cricket on the beach for 30 years now,” said 53-year-old D.J. Ramani, a resident. “It looks like a tradition will now be lost forever.”

Last Updated on Thursday, 05 November 2009 02:43
 

Corporation removes encroachments

Thursday, 05 November 2009 02:40
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The Hindu 05.11.2009

Corporation removes encroachments

Staff Reporter

30 staff members, 5 lorries, one earthmover used

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation removed encroachments on Keerai Thottam in the Adyar River at Saidapet on Wednesday.

Mayor M.Subramanian said about 60 grounds of land on the riverbed had been encroached upon and it blocked the free flow of water. Citing Revenue Department records, he said that they show that in 1962 the lands were marked as portion of river and not as ‘patta’ lands. Measures would be taken to cancel the ‘pattas’ given.

A total of 30 Corporation staff members, five lorries and an earthmover were used to remove encroachments. In a few days, the bunds created by the cultivators of greens would also be removed, he said.

The initiative was taken along with the Public Works Department and Revenue Department. Officials of the PWD said the width of the river near the Maraimalai Adigal bridge, which was 110 m, was reduced to 50 m because of the encroachment. The removal of encroachments would help in increasing the capacity of the river to almost its original 60,000 cubic feet per second at the stretch.

The encroachment was one of the main causes for flooding in Jothiammal Nagar, Thideer Nagar and Rathna Thottam during monsoon, the official said.

Similarly, about 20 structures obstructing free flow of water in Virugambakkam Canal were also cleared. Desilting of watercourses would be continued till the end of the northeast monsoon. Blocks along the watercourses would be removed wherever necessary, the official said.

Last Updated on Thursday, 05 November 2009 02:41
 
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