Wearing mask made mandatory in public places
The Tamil Nadu Government has reinstated the rule that masks should be worn in Chennai and across the state while out in public . According to Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan, the imposition of a Rs. 500 fine will be imposed for non compliance with the rule. The official told reporters that while fining was relaxed, at no point was there an exemption from wearing masks.
The official also mentioned that there was an overall drop in thermal screening, use of hand sanitisers and masking at public places. According to him, testing would be increased for 25,000 people in the State.
Currently a new COVID-19 cluster has emerged in IIT, with 30 positive cases, raising concerns in the city about a new incoming wave of the virus. The Health Secretary visited the IIT campus hostel, triaging centre, isolation centre so as to inspect the testing facilities.
Source: The Hindu
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City Corporation to generate revenue from waste
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) aims to generate revenue** by processing wet and dry waste through the Chetpet Bio CNG plant, as well as selling the manure that is created. Currently the plant processes around 100 tonnes of waste in a day. and plans to sell around 50 tonnes of manure daily.
Mayor R. Priya chaired a meeting on waste recycling this week, where talks on expanding existing revenue generating capacity of waste processing were discussed.
According to Corporation Commissioner Gangadeep Singh Bedi, the bags and price of the manure could potentially be standarised in all zones.
Source: The Times of India
Marina to be developed for Blue Flag tag
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is all set to develop a 30-km stretch of the Marina beach all the way from North Chennai. The development is aimed at securing a Blue Flag tag for the beach which is a coveted eco-label provided worldwide for beaches, marinas and boats.
The allocation for this project is Rs 100 crore. The development would make the beach safer and improve the amenities available for the general public. The beach will get promenades and piers at various places as part of the project. The project will require clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Source: The New Indian Express
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Phased fight against Chennai floods
In a bid to combat flooding in Chennai, the state government has allocated Rs 250 crores. The first phase will see the widening of the Adyar and Kosasthalaiyar rivers, desilting of canals and strengthening of bunds. A total of nearly Rs 1300 crore has been demanded by the Water Resource Department for flood mitigation in phases.
In addition, work will be undertaken to construct and repair stormwater drains and building of underground canals. Repairing sluice in various lakes is also part of the agenda. Work will also be undertaken in Kolathur lake during the first phase of the project.
Source: The New Indian Express
[Compiled by Savitha Ganesh]
** The first published version of the article mistakenly referred to generation of waste instead of revenue. The error is regretted.