Phethai may give Chennai a miss again, but heavy showers likely
Cyclone Gaja gave Chennai a near miss but devastated large parts of coastal Tamil Nadu. Now, a low pressure has started brewing in the Bay of Bengal. Named “Phethai”, the powerful tropical cyclonic storm is expected to be the most intense in Andhra Pradesh.
Even though it may move towards AP, Chennai may get heavy showers, bringing in much relief to the dry spell the city has been having.
Source: The New Indian Express | Times of India
Drive against encroachments around lakes
57 lakes in the city will get a fresh lease of life in new year when illegal construction around the lakes will be demolished. The work order for preparation of a detailed project report has been issued by the Corporation to Tamil Nadu Water Investment Company (TWIC).
The project report by TWIC will focus on reduction of pollution in the waterbodies. The number of plots developed illegally in the waterbodies will also be estimated. The 57 waterbodies include Alapakkam Lake, Silanthi Kuttai in Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, Baskar Colony Park in Saligramam, Linga Kulam in Vanagaram Main Road, Sivan Koil Kulam on Arcot Road, Pillayar Koil Kulam on Velachery-Tambaram Main Road and ECR Pond in Kottivakkam.
Meanwhile, bio-mining of the massive landfill in Periyar Eri, Pallavaram has begun.
Source: The Hindu | The New Indian Express
Chennai Metro employees threaten strike
Over 250 employees of Chennai Metro have threatened to go on strike, citing alleged irregularities on employee hiring. The employees who are being hired on contract through middlemen are reportedly paid much higher compared to the permanent employees.
Chennai Metro had suspended seven employees for questioning the contract system, following which the other employees have threatened to intensify their strike if suspension is not revoked.
Source: The New Indian Express
Soon, pay for using sporting facilities at Corporation parks
Chennai Corporation is looking at privatising playgrounds in the corporation parks and has floated the tender for operating and maintaining the play fields.
Use of badminton, tennis courts and skating rink will now invite charges every month. The Corporation is maintaining 38 tennis courts at 17 locations, 16 badminton courts at nine locations and 16 skating rinks at 16 locations, including Anna Nagar Tower Park, Marina Beach and Elliot Beach.
The Chennai Corporation is expecting to add Rs 55 lakhs to its kitty every year through this move.
Source: DTNext
Corporation launches green drive with eye on monsoon
In a bid to increase the city’s green cover to 20%, Chennai Corporation has intensified its green drive. The municipal body has identified 203 roads for sapling plantation during this northeast monsoon.
Of the 23,000 saplings proposed this year, 6,000 have been planted along roads in areas such as Madhavaram and Sholinganallur. But roads in the core city areas will get fewer trees because of inadequate space. Another challenge is the resistance from the commercial establishments to have trees planted near their premises, as they fear it may hide their signage and boards.
Source: The Hindu
[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]