Four metro water wokers die due to asphyxiation
Four contract workers of Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) have died in two different incidents over the past week, allegedly due to asphyxiation while cleaning septic tanks. On Tuesday, two workers, Nelson and Ravikumar who were involved in cleaning a septic tank in Madhavaram asphyxiated while at work. While Nelson was declared dead on arrival, Ravikumar died on Thursday without responding to the treatment.
Meanwhile, two other workers, identified as D Dhakshinamurthy, 38, and P Periasamy, 38, of Pallikaranai died allegedly of asphyxiation while cleaning a septic tank located in a gated community in Perungudi on Wednesday night.
While the CMWSSB has announced a solatium of Rs 15 lakh to the kin of deceased workers Nelson and Ravikumar, the Metrowater labourer’s union has sought action against the contractors and officials.
Source: The New Indian Express
Read more: Temporary workers keep Chennai going at great personal cost
Vaccination drive as COVID cases rise in Chennai
With COVID cases seeing a rise, the Tamil Nadu government has planned to launch a mega COVID-19 vaccination camp on July 10th across 1 lakh locations. An awareness campaign was kicked off by Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian by distributing 50,000 masks within four hours in Chennai.
The Minister said that around 50 % of the fresh cases were reported from Chennai and that 95% of the active cases in the State did not require hospitalisation. He also stressed the need for people to adhere to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. Mask mandates were reinstated in the state the past week with crackdowns against compliance across Chennai.
Source: The Hindu
On-street parking charges increased in Pondy Bazaar
To curtail on-street parking on Theyagaraya Road in T Nagar and to divert motorists to the Multi-Level Car Park (MLCP), which is only a few metres away, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has increased charges for on-street parking. This is aimed at reducing the congestion on the street that has seen various complaints in the past months.
Premium charges of Rs 15/ hour for two-wheelers and Rs 60/ hour for four-wheelers will be collected with immediate effect for on-street parking, a rise from the existing Rs 5/ hour for two-wheelers and Rs 20/ hour for four-wheelers. Those parking at the MLCP, however, may continue paying the older rates. A resolution in this regard was passed at the council meeting held on Tuesday.
Source: The Hindu | The New Indian Express
Read more: All is not well at the T Nagar Pedestrian Plaza
Chennai Airport manpower to be increased
In what could bring some relief for international passengers who endure a long wait to complete the immigration process, manpower will be increased at Chennai airport from next month.
Officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said, after writing to the authorities in the government, both the State and the Centre, and the Bureau of Immigration repeatedly, their request for increasing personnel has been granted. The Airport will now staff an additional 30 personnel at the immigration counters in the international terminal and these new recruits are likely to join by mid-July on completion of their training.
Source: The Hindu
Artificially ripened fruits seized in Koyambedu
Food safety officials on Wednesday seized seven tonnes of mangoes and 500 kg of bananas that were ripened with chemicals at the Koyambedu market. A five-member team inspected 30 shops and found six shops using the chemical, ‘Ethephon’, in sachets to ripen the fruits.
P. Satheesh Kumar, Designated Officer, Food Safety Department, Chennai, said ‘Ethephon’ should not be used directly on the fruits for ripening, and fruits ripened thus were unsafe to consume. “We have imposed a fine of ₹5,000 and warned that the shops will be sealed permanently if they continue to commit such offences,” he said. The seized fruits were destroyed.
Source: The Hindu
[Compiled by Shobana Radhakrishnan]