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Tamil Nadu News Papers

GPS parking to help motorists

Friday, 13 December 2013 07:33
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Deccan Chronicle              13.12.2013

GPS parking to help motorists

Picture for representational purpose only.

Chennai: The pavements at Pondy Bazaar are now usable at a stretch as there are no obstructions, barring a few motorcyclists who still ride over the pavements, and cars, which are parked unevenly due to the lack of parking space.

To resolve the issue, the Chennai corporation is planning to introduce a parking regulation cell in Ripon Buildings and manage the parking through GPS.

Sources also hint that the multi-level parking project on the stretch may be reconsidered wherein the GPS-enabled parking facility would be used.

“The parking meters will have GPS facilities which will employees at the parking cell monitor the scenario and the number of parking spaces available at the parking area,” said a senior Corp­oration official.

“The number of parking spa­ces available would be displayed on a digital bo­ard which would be upd­ated,” he added.

“Our aim is to relieve citizens from  se­a­rching for parking space and make them aw­are of parking availab­ili­ty as soon as they enter the stretch,” the official said.

The civic body is planning strategies for the feeder roads across T. Nagar for the pr­o­posed pedestrian plaza.
 

Chennai Records Rise in Groundwater Level, Says Report

Friday, 13 December 2013 06:33
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The New Indian Express             13.12.2013

Chennai Records Rise in Groundwater Level, Says Report

The average ground water level in Chennai rose by 0.80 metres due to implementation of rainwater harvesting. Express file photo
The average ground water level in Chennai rose by 0.80 metres due to implementation of rainwater harvesting. Express file photo

The average ground water level in the city rose by 0.80 metres due to implementation of rainwater harvesting, according to Chennai Metro Water.

A Chennai Metro Water report said the water level was 4.20 metre from the surface, but after the rain water harvesting, the water level had risen to the level of 3.20 metre from the surface.

The ground water levels in Tiruvotiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, Ambattur, Anna Nagar, Teynampet, Kodambakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Adyar, Perungudi and Sholinganallur had improved the report said. The ground water level in Alandur which was 7.45 metres deep before monsoon rose to 4.80 metres due to rain water harvesting, it said. It also said the groundwater quality, which gives a measure of the total dissolved solids had also improved in the range of 500 to 1700 particles per cubic metre.

Interestingly, this comes after the city installed eight lakh rain water harvesting structures. Besides, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority plans to carry out rainwater harvesting audit though a network of NGOs, who pioneered in this field.

The biggest challenge for ground water depletion is heavy extraction of ground water. According to estimates, the city requires 1100 mld of water a day while Metro Water supplies around 830 MLD a day. As such nearly 300 mld of water is extracted from the ground.

 

In a first, corporation to feel pulse of city’s health

Thursday, 12 December 2013 09:51
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Deccan Chronicle           12.12.2013

In a first, corporation to feel pulse of city’s health

 
Chennai: In a first-of-its-kind att­e­m­­pt, the Chennai corp­or­at­ion council would dev­iate from discussing state politics and focus on the public health status of Chennaiites during the ensuing monthly council meeting scheduled for the end of this month.
 
The corporation’s heal­th department is preparing a detailed project re­p­ort on public health, bas­ed on the data col­lec­t­e­d during its recently concl­uded, five-day me­ga health camp under whose auspices close to four lakh Chennaiites were screened.
 
“The camp has helped the civic body understand the incidence of diseases and the data has revealed several par­a­meters related to public health. Cardi­ovas­cul­ar diseases and lifestyle a­il­ments continue to ri­se in Chennai. Last we­e­k’s study by the civic bo­dy has revealed that the incidence of diabetes and blood pressure has mar­ginally in­cr­eased in the city,” said corporation health officer, Dr P. Kugana­nth­am. The ma­y­or has inst­ru­cted the health dep­art­ment to compile the data as a prominent resolution to be debated at the meeting, so that a city-centric module can be framed to improve the health of the residents, he added.
 
Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy said the idea was to identify the key ailments that Chenn­aiites currently faced and also understand the age group of people prone to lifestyle disorders. 
 
The data would also lead to a discussion on areas and residential pockets where the incidence of disease was high. 
 
However, the corporation officials refused to divulge the parameters and trends related to communicable and cardiovascular diseases, citing that the subjects were to be discussed at the council meeting.
 
“Usually, the councillors discuss issues related to national politics and heap praise on their political bosses, ignoring the local public and the amenities required in their wards. This is a good idea to document the health study as a resolution and take subsequent action,” said Mr K Hari, a regular visitor at the council meetings.
 
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