The Hindu 19.03.2010
MoU for Cooum restoration signed
Special Correspondent
OPERATION CLEAN-UP: Copies of an MoU on restoration of the Cooum being exchanged in the presence of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday.
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding with Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) to promote and facilitate cooperation and collaboration in restoration, beautification and management of the Cooum.
The State government had formed Chennai River Restoration Trust (CRRT) with the mandate to restore rivers and water bodies in Chennai. Under this mandate, beautification and management of the Cooum will be the first project.
The MOU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
K. Phanindra Reddy, CRRT Member Secretary, signed on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government, and Alphonsus Chia, Chief Executive officer, on behalf of SCE.
The memorandum of understanding will provide a broad framework for collaboration between CRRT and SCE to share Singapore's experience in river cleaning and rehabilitation, particularly in river sub-basin restoration and management.
SCE will partner with the Public Utilities Board of Singapore and CH2M Hill, a Singapore-based company with vast experience in water and environmental management.
To kick-start the collaboration, the Singapore team will work with CRRT to formulate a scope of works to develop holistic integrated and sustainable solutions for sub-basin restoration and management.
The team will also assist in developing a programme scope, sub-components and its phasing for effective outcomes and appropriate project delivery options. Through the MoU, SCE hopes to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation between Singapore and the State government.
The SCE team, which is on a three-day visit to the city, is scheduled to make field visits on Friday. The team held discussions with various stakeholders of the project.
