The Hindu 28.12.2013
Civic body to take action against fertilizer plant
To follow TNPCB report on air pollution caused in Ennore
Chennai Corporation will initiate legal action against a fertilizer plant in Ennore for polluting the neighbourhood.
Responding to a question by councillor A. Ezhilarasi of ward 1 during the Corporation council meeting, Mayor Saidai Duraisamy said, “The zonal assistant health officer has sent a letter to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board on August 26. We have also sent a reminder. Legal action against the fertilizer plant will be based on the report submitted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.”
Ms. Ezhilarasi pointed to the rising number of residents affected by asthma due to air pollution caused by the plant. “Many residents have reported diseases pertaining to bone and teeth. The Corporation should take action to preventhealth problems,” she said.
Meanwhile, work on preparation of a land plan schedule for widening of roads such as Kaliamman Koil Street, has started. “After the Chennai collectorate completes the work, the council will ask Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority to utilise TDR (transfer of development rights) provisions to acquire private land for the widening,” said Mayor Saidai Duraisamy.
Last year, the council passed a resolution on use of TDR for widening roads including Kaliamman Koil Street, Nelson Manickam Road, Paper Mills Road and Sembium Red Hills Road. The Corporation council will ask the CMDA to issue development rights certificates (DRCs) to affected land owners. DRCs entitle the owners to add floor space in lieu of the area surrendered.
Work on widening Kaliamman Koil Street, a crucial link between Arcot Road and Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, is expected to ease congestion in Koyambedu. The civic body has decided to acquire 37,600 sq. m. of private land located on either side of the 3.1 km road.
