The Hindu              06.12.2013

Over 85,000 screened at free medical camps in city

A total of 86, 240 persons were screened by doctors at medical camps organised by Chennai Corporation at 1,000 localities in the city.

Mayor Saidai Duraisamy inaugurated the mega medical camps on Thursday. Over 160 Corporation doctors, 700 private doctors and 2,000 employees participated in the camps, which will continue to be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. till Monday. Doctors from 60 private hospitals are expected to screen at least 20 lakh beneficiaries free of cost by the end of the five-day camp.

The civic body would focus on at least five neighbourhoods in each of the 200 wards and screen 1.5 lakh women belonging to self-help groups, one lakh homeless, 1.5 lakh employees with food business operators and one lakh migrant labourers in the city.

The beneficiaries will also get the best treatment using the resources with the private hospitals. Residents can call Corporation’s helpline 1913 to get details of camps in their ward. All the data collected from the residents on Thursday has been computerised to facilitate follow up action. 

The Hindu              06.12.2013

Pedestrian plaza project: design finalised

The Chennai Corporation has received the final design of the pedestrian plaza in T. Nagar from architects of the project.

At a meeting of the sub-committee on non-motorised transport of Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority on Thursday, the consultant submitted the final design. The civic body plans to float bids for development of the plaza this month after getting a nod from the State government.

The pedestrian plaza will cover 1400 metres of Thyagaraya Road from Bashyam Road near Panagal Park to Anna Salai.

The plaza will have space for seating and emerge as a busy intersection of art and commerce where buildings would be required to have animated electric, neon, illuminated signs and news scrolls.

Battery-operated cars

“The work will be completed one year after the work order is issued. The intention is to promote non-motorised transport. The pedestrian plaza will have space for environment-friendly attractions, greenery and public utilities including toilets. The consultant has suggested battery-operated cars for assisting the elderly and persons with disability,” said an official of Chennai Corporation.

The pedestrian plaza will be at least 22 metres in width with two lanes carved out for public transport in a 7-metre-wide northern portion of Thyagaraya Road. The entire southern side will be for pedestrians. Large establishments in the city will be invited to highlight various commercial themes unique to the city.

“The plaza will have special seating for various art events. Pedestrians visiting will also be able to find stillness and calm amid the city rush,” said the official.  

The Corporation has firmed up the plan for ‘semi-pedestrianisation’ of Thyagaraya Road as part of the makeover for T. Nagar proposed years ago. Encroachments on pavement were removed recently.