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Greens question pleasure boating

Wednesday, 23 December 2009 05:26 administrator
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Deccan Chronicle 23.12.2009

Greens question pleasure boating

December 23rd, 2009
By Our Correspondent

Dec. 22: Environmentalists in the city are sceptical about the proposed leisure boating facility in Velachery lake. They cite the example of Ousteri lake in Puducherry which was polluted badly after leisure boating service was started. They are also worried about the dim prospects of migratory birds visiting the lake once the boating starts.

“The city corporation’s plans of eco-tourism in Velachery lake, like all other government projects, is not far-sighted. It will not just pollute the lake further. It will also disturb the already declining bird life in the lake,” said Mr Nityanand Jayaraman, environmentalist.

While corporation sources maintain that the lake will be beautified by removing all pollutants before launching boat rides, the experience at Ousteri lake in Puducherry has made many environmentalists worried.

“Ousteri lake used to be a great destination of migratory birds and a source of aquatic life before the boating facility was introduced. After boat rides were introduced, birds and fish have disappeared. The lake is full of plastic waste now,” said Mr K. Sugumaran, who is an active member of ‘Save Ousteri Lake.’

Madras Naturalists’ Society (MNS) is studying the possible impact of boating on bird life in Velachery lake. “Bird life will be hit badly if boating is introduced. Bird life is already on the decline due to increasing noise of vehicles in the area,” said Mr Sudhakar, secretary, MNS.

Chennai corporation’s plans include regular cleanup of the lake.

“We have plans to stop sewage inflow to the lake. Parks will be developed on the lakeside to protect the ecosystem. Birds almost stopped visiting the lake. Once boating starts, it will be a great outing for Chennai residents and others,” said M. Subramanain, Chennai Mayor.

 

Uthukuli town to get more facilities

Tuesday, 22 December 2009 02:10 administrator
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The Hindu 22.12.2009

Uthukuli town to get more facilities

R Vimal Kumar

Tirupur: Infrastructure at Uthukuli Town Panchayat is to get a facelift at a total outlay of about Rs. 2 crore during this financial year.

The town panchayat, which is spread on the sides of the busy Tirupur-Erode highway, is presently in need of better road network, drainage, street lighting and sanitation.

“The administration has chalked out plans to carry out extension of pipeline networks at Kumaran Nagar and Shivasankar Nagar at an outlay of Rs. 1 lakh and lay cement concrete roads as well as drainage at Jeeva Nagar at Rs. 2 lakh, all allocated as grants under the 12th Finance Commission,” Uthukuli Town Panchayat Chairman R. Kumar told The Hindu.

The necessary administrative sanction for the works had been obtained and would be issued shortly.

Besides, a new building for Pallathottam Milk Co-operative Society will be constructed using funds given from Perundurai MLA Punnudurai’s Constituency Development Fund.

Another project planned is the development of slums at Bharathi Nagar, Chettipalayalam and Velampalayam under Uthukuli Town Panchayat.

It will be completed at a cost of Rs. 1.11 crore before March 31, 2010.

“The project cost, assigned from the Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) scheme, will be utilised to ameliorate the living condition of 61 families in those hamlets,” Mr. Kumar said.

Under the package, the administration will improve shelter of the families as well as lay two black-top roads, two cement concrete roads and construct a community hall.

The lighting facilities in the area will be improved with the erection of 20 more street light poles.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 December 2009 02:11
 

Sewer project inaugurated

Monday, 21 December 2009 10:20 administrator
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The New Indian Express 21.12.2009

Sewer project inaugurated

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday inaugurated the Rs 7.35 crore sewer project that is part of the Integrated Development Scheme (IDS) being implemented for the Guindy Industrial Estate and adjoining residential localities.

Under the project, 610 industrial units in Guindy Estate and 398 houses in nearby localities of Labour Colony, Nagi Reddy Garden and Arulayamman Pettai have been given drainage connections by laying 18 km sewer lines. To facilitate pumping sewage to the treatment plant in Nesapakkam, two pumping stations have been built. While the main pumping station on Reddy Street close to the Estate has a capacity of 13.88 million litres per day (MLD), the Lift Station in the south phase has a capacity of 4.30 MLD.

After inaugurating the new facility, Stalin told reporters that with the launch of the facility, the seven outfalls that let sewage into the Adyar River would stop immediately, preventing pollution. “The sewage from Labour Colony, Nagi Reddy Garden and other areas will now go the treatment plant.” On the delay in the execution of the plan, Executive Engineer, Metro Water D Yuvaraj told Express that officials had to overcome plenty of problems. “One major trouble was the high water table and the entire area lay close to the Adyar River,” he said adding the region had buried networks of storm water and disused sewer lines that were laid many decades ago.

An IDS was prepared by SIDCO that maintains the industrial estate, to improve amenities and the task of laying sewer network was given to Metro Water. While the Guindy Estate Manufacturers Association pitched in with Rs 257.50 lakh for the sewer scheme, Metro Water’s fund component was Rs 477.50 lakh.

Last Updated on Monday, 21 December 2009 10:23
 
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