The Hindu      21.07.2010

New facilities inaugurated

Staff Reporter

— Photo: B. Velankanni

New projects: A.K.S. Vijayan, MP, unveiling a plaque to inaugurate development works at Velankanni on Tuesday.

VELANKANNI: Infrastructure to the tune of Rs.1.67 crore was unveiled under the aegis of Velankanni Town Panchayat here on Tuesday evening.

The infrastructural additions implemented by the Velankanni Town Panchayat under three varied schemes entails a fish market complex, extension of bus stand and a beautification project through light fixtures.

The fish market complex constructed at a cost of Rs.86.50 lakh would provide for about 86 stalls for grocery, vegetables, chicken, mutton and fish. This envisages 40 stalls for fish tables and fish cutting stalls. The market complex has been conceived under the Tsunami Emergency Assistance Project (TEAP). However, ice godowns or a storage facility for perishables have not been envisaged within the project. Extension of bus stand has been accomplished at Rs.58.50 lakh. Additionally, for tourism development, high mast lights and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) have been set up. The CFL candescent lamps have been fixed along with high mast lights at a cost of Rs.21.63 lakh.The inauguration, presided over by Collector C.Munianathan, was unveiled by A.K.S.Vijayan, MP, Nagapattinam. Juliet Arputharaj, Velankanni Municipality Chairperson was among those present.

The Hindu       30.06.2010

Perambur park to get first musical fountain

Deepa H Ramakrishnan

— Photo: V. Ganesan

EAGERLY AWAITED: The proposed park near the Perambur flyover where the musical fountain will be installed.

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation is planning to install a musical fountain, the first of its kind by the civic body, at the upcoming park on the northern side of the Perambur flyover.

The work is expected to be completed by the end of next month, according to Corporation officials. Tenders for the fountain would be called next week.

The estimated cost of the facility will be Rs.25 lakh.

Water from the fountain would appear as if it is dancing to recorded music. Coloured lights would be used to light up the jets.

However, no separate enclosure or seating arrangements is being created around the fountain.

Work on the park, which is being undertaken at a cost of Rs.30 lakh, is expected to get over simultaneously.

The facilities in the park, on about 50 grounds of land, include a 400-metre-long walking track, yoga stage, lawns, seating arrangements and children's play area.

Another park, on the southern side, has already been completed with play area for children, seating arrangements and lawns and attracts over 5,000 visitors daily.

Residents have welcomed the Corporation's decision to develop parks as there are no such facilities in the area. R.Umapathy, a resident, said some kind of system must be introduced for parking vehicles. Separate bays need to be earmarked for motorbikes and four-wheelers.

Additional policing was needed near the park to prevent anti-social elements from misusing the facility at night.