A smoke-filled Chennai yet again this Diwali
Though there have been contrasting reports from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), by all accounts, air quality levels post Diwali were poor. Pollution levels at several locations in the city went up on Deepavali, with concentrations of PM2.5 crossing 400 micrograms/cubic metre at Manali, Velachery and Alandur. However, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board’s (TNPCB) data from five locations shows a completing contrasting picture.
The city Corporation collected a total of 22.58 tonnes of cracker waste on Saturday and Sunday across all 15 zones, of which the day of Deepavali accounted for 21.9 tonnes. Last year, the Corporation collected a total of 64.5 tonnes over three days. In 2017, it collected around 80 tonnes of cracker waste at the end of festivities.
Source: The Hindu | The New Indian Express
Clean Cooum campaign launched
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has launched a “Clean Cooum Campaign” for a stretch of 13 kms along with government agencies, including the Greater Chennai Corporation and private organizations and colleges.
About 1,500 volunteers will be involved in cleaning the river in several locations, including Anna Nagar, Nungambakkam, Spurtank Road, Egmore, Chintadripet, near Apollo Hospital, Greams Road and near Napier bridge.
Meanwhile, more than 50 smaller restored water bodies this year are brimming with rainwater, thanks to efforts of NGOs and the Chennai Corporation. Water bodies in Tiruvallur district, Ambattur, Minjur and Sriperumbudur are full of water due to heavy rain in these parts, while those in Velachery, Perungalathur, Thalambur, Egattur, along ECR and OMR are fast filling.
Source: The Hindu | The New Indian Express
Parts of Chennai at risk of drowning according to climate study
Glaciers are melting and the sea level is rising. The home of more than 3 crore Indians who are living in different coastal areas of the country will be wiped out according to a new study released on climate change. In Chennai, seawater will also drown the interior parts of the city like Perambur and Purasawalkam and parts of the coastal areas.
However, experts opine that the risk is not too alarming and can be managed if the Government takes appropriate actions. The increasing sea level would also force water table along the coastline to move upwards.
Rapid urbanisation and indiscriminate drawal have already led to saltwater intrusion in areas from the Adyar river to Palavakkam.
Source: India Today | The Times of India
Foundation stone laid for Perungalathur overbridge
Residents living around Perungalathur and commuters using the stretch to reach the NH undergo a nerve-wrecking traffic snarl daily. To ease passage over the railway level crossing, the construction of a railway over-bridge at Perungalathur has been initiated, the foundation stone for which was laid by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy this week.
This railway over-bridge at Perungalathur will replace level crossing no. 32 at Perungalathur between Tambaram and Vandalur railway stations. The project is being undertaken at a cost of ₹206.3 crore
Source: The Hindu
[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]