Clean Marina on top priority for the officials

Following the directions of the Madras High Court, Corporation Commissioner D Karthikeyan along with the police commissioner took a walk along the Marina to inspect and take stock of the progress on the clean-up works. From streamlining vendors to stepping up security through CCTV surveillance, work along the world’s second longest beach is on at a fast pace. The High Court has directed the civic body to ensure a clean Marina before the new year.

Source: The Times of India

GCC news: More worms out of the can

A recent RTI filed by NGO Arappor Iyakkam continues to reveal that all is not well at the Chennai Corporation as more and more irregularities surface. The civic body is re-laying drains that are in good condition. Drains in Purasalwalkam, Nanganallur, Thillai Ganga Nagar and K K Nagar that are in good condition and were recently laid, are again being re-laid.

Recently,several irregularities had been spotted in the tenders, further to which the corporation had cancelled some of them. The RTI filed had revealed that multiple companies owned by the family of contracts bid against each other for the tenders.

Source: The Times of India

Failed monsoon leaves Chennai dry

With Gaja and Pethai skipping Chennai and the north-east monsoon failing to bring enough rainfall, the city is now staring at a severe water crisis. The four reservoirs that are the source of supply for the city had already started drying up, and it is estimated that only 14% water is left in the reservoirs.

With a rain deficit of 54%, Chennai Metro Water is looking to tap alternative sources to salvage the situation. The officials have started looking for stone quarries located in Sikkarayapuram village in Kanchipuram district and also planning to tap water from bore wells situated in Tiruvallur district.

Meanwhile, the low pressure trough over parts of Bay Bengal is expected to bring rainfall to South Tamil Nadu while Chennai may not get much this time too.

Source:  The Times of India | Deccan Chronicle | The Hindu

MRTS a new abode for sparrows

Here is some good news for bird lovers. A recent study by the city-based  Madras Naturalist Society (MNS) has confirmed that there has been a rise in the spotting of the house sparrows but a change in the location.

A four-month-long citizen-led project, the ‘Sparrow Census with MNS,’ was conducted from March to July where it encouraged residents to report sightings of the bird using a survey form.

The birds were spotted in areas like Vettuvankeni, Neelankarai, Shastri Nagar and Indra Nagar in Adyar, Porur and Madipakkam. However, in some areas of the city like Nungambakkam, Saidapet, West Tambaram, Villivakkam, Teynampet, Padi and Ambattur, the little bird had completely vanished.

Interestingly, the sparrows had found newer nesting locations in MRTS stations including the ones at Chintadripet, Kotturpuram, Kasturbai Nagar, Indra Nagar, Taramani and Velachery.

The findings have been recorded in the form of a Sparrow Atlas for areas under the Greater Chennai Corporation, which MNS has put up on its website, www.blackbuck.org.

Source: The Times of India | The Hindu

Illegal banners in the city to face stringent action

The commissioner of Chennai Corporation has issued a stern warning to those who erect illegal hoardings and banners in the city. Violators can face up to one year in imprisonment under Section 326 of the Chennai City Municipal Act, 1919.

The Madras High Court had expressed strong displeasure over the apathy of civic officials towards action against the violators. The apex court had made this observation following a contempt plea moved by social activist and litigator ‘Traffic’ Ramaswamy, seeking stringent action against officials who failed to act against such violations.

Source: The Times of India | NDTV

[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]