Chennai Buzz: Permanent ramp for PwDs | Land reclassification by CMDA..and more!

From a permanent ramp for persons with disabilities in Marina Beach to new lab for water quality testing, here is the weekly news roundup from Chennai.

Permanent pathway for persons with disabilities set up in Chennai’s Marina Beach

As a solution to years of struggle by PwDs to access Marina beach, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has set up a permanent pathway. The pathway was inaugurated by Triplicane MLA Udhayanidhi Stalin on November 27.

The ramp, which is 263m in length and three metres in width, is made of babool, red maranthi and Brazilian wood at a cost of Rs 1.14 crore. While access points have been provided at every 10m for easy entrance and exit, the viewing point is set up 10m from the sea. 

Source: The Times of India | DT Next


Read more: How accessible are Chennai malls for persons with disability?


CMDA approves Nandambakkam land reclassification

Six acres of land in Nandambakkam marked as a part of the Adyar river has been approved for reclassification as a residential and institutional zone. The reclassification was approved by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). The land had been marked as part of the water body in the second master plan. Attempts have been made to get the land reclassified for the past 17 years.

Perious attempt to have the land reclassified were thwarted by protests from NGOs against the move. The NGOs questioned the claims made by the private party that had moved for reclassification and the revenue records presented to support the claim.

Source: The New Indian Express

Kodungaiyur dump yard to be bio-mined soon

chennai legacy waste
Legacy waste in dump yards poses a huge hazard to residents and the local ecosystem. Pic: Aruna Natarajan

Following the detailed feasibility report submitted to Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL), the Greater Chennai Corporation has sought administrative sanction from the state government to reclaim 252 acres of land in Kodungaiyur at an estimated cost of Rs 640 crore

The dump yard has accumulated 66.52 lakh legacy solid waste. The project will be carried out in six packages. While 25% of the estimated project cost would be covered by the Union government under Swacch Bharat Mission 2.0, the State Government will bear 16% of the cost and the Chennai Corporation will bear the remaining cost through its revenue and external funding for the project period of two years.

Source: The Times of India | The New Indian Express

Water samples in Chennai can now be tested at Metrowater’s new lab

A recently inaugurated lab of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has facilities to check the quality of around 600 water samples per day. The lab would allow residents of Chennai to send in samples for testing. The lab has been set up at a cost of Rs 7 crores.

A sum of Rs 75 will be charged to test water samples from households and Rs 200 will be charged for each sample from apartments, commercial establishments, open wells and borewells. The laboratory also has provisions to test the quality of treated sewage discharged from sewage treatment plants.

Source: The Hindu


Read more: Why residents in northern parts of Chennai throw away pots of water every week


Section of Perambur Barracks road caves in

To the shock of many commuters, a part of the Perambur Barracks road near Astabujam road junction caved in on November 26th, leading to traffic congestion. Officials later found that damage in the underground metro water pipeline led to the cave-in.

According to news reports, the road will be relaid by the civic body once the metro water workers finish the pipeline repair work. Traffic diversions have been made in the interim to prevent congestion.

Source: The New Indian Express

[Compiled by Shobana Radhakrishnan]

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