The Hindu      16.06.2010

Mint flyover to be ready in a year: Mayor

Staff Reporter

— Photo: V. Ganesan

FIRST STEP: Mayor M. Subramanian inaugurating the Mint flyover work.

CHENNAI: Work on the Mint flyover, a facility expected to decongest traffic in north Chennai, began on Tuesday with Mayor M.Subramanian laying the foundation stone.

Speaking at a function organised by the Chennai Corporation at the Mint junction, the Mayor said the project was being implemented at a cost of Rs.23 crore. The work is expected to be completed in a year, ahead of the schedule of 18 months.

The civic body has entrusted the design, engineering, procurement of materials and construction of the four-lane flyover to contracting firm IVRCL. As the firm would be involved in shifting utility lines and laying of service lanes, the work would be carried out faster. The flyover would be 520 metres long and 15 metres wide.

On the land acquisition for the project, Mr.Subramanian said the Corporation regained control of 22.50 grounds encroached by 35 timber shops. It was also in the process of obtaining nearly 16.50 grounds belonging to other departments. Residents of various areas, including Mint and Basin Bridge Road, would benefit from the flyover.

Regarding works being carried out in north Chennai, he said estimates had been prepared for a Rs.7.4-crore road underbridge at Korukkupet connecting Thiagappa Street and Kannan Street. The construction would be taken up after the completion of a road overbridge at the junction of Cochrane Basin Road and Kathivakkam High Road in December.

The Hindu       15.06.2010

Cooum project: Singapore team coming today

K. Lakshmi and Deepa H Ramakrishnan

Photo: R. Ragu.

TO BE RESTORED: The project seeks to make banks of the Cooum garbage-free. —

CHENNAI: A team from Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) will be in Chennai on Tuesday to present proposals to the State Government to prepare a conceptual master plan for Cooum sub-basin restoration and management.

The government recently signed a memorandum of understanding with SCE to promote co-operation and collaboration in beautification of the Cooum river.

A high-level committee meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, was held in the city on Monday to review the progress of the project.

Sources said the Chennai River Restoration Trust (CRRT) has requested the Chennai Corporation to conduct a one-time mass cleaning programme along the banks of Cooum and place adequate number of bins facing the road to prevent people from dumping garbage.

A source in CRRT said “We have studied locations including Koyambedu, Naduvankarai, Aminjikarai, Anna Nagar, Chetpet, Spurtank Road and Pudupet. People living along the banks need to be encouraged to use the bins,” he said.

The Trust has circulated a questionnaire among various local bodies along the Cooum for details about solid waste management facilities. “We are trying to identify the gaps and provide technical assistance and arrange funds for projects,” the source said.

As regards sewage outfalls into the river, in the last few months seven have been plugged by the Chennai Metrowater. The water agency had been asked to plug 113 outfalls in the Cooum river, and Virugambakkam and Trustpuram canals.

“The agency will need two years for implementing this. These are outfalls on which action can be taken immediately. Other outfalls are being validated and will soon join the list,” the source added.

The Revenue Department was also asked to expedite resettlement process of the auto market in Pudupet to the newly identified locations at Appur and Perumalthangal near Singaperumal Koil.

Of the nearly-14,500 persons living along the Cooum river, from its mouth to Padi Kuppam identified for rehabilitation, about 920 of them have been resettled, the sources said.