COVID cases at IIT-M and Anna University go up
As colleges reopened for a section of students, there has been a COVID-19 outbreak in one of the city’s premier educational institutions. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras recorded 191 positive cases. The institution had to go under a localised lockdown and carry out extensive testing to prevent the spread.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) collected 6,344 samples from college students across the city for testing.
Six students of Anna University, five students from Valasaravakkam zone, three from Sholinganallur, one each from Alandur and Perungudi have also tested positive for COVID-19.
Source: The Times of India
Rs 400-cr SWD project for preventing floods in south Chennai
In a bid to prevent inundation in low-lying areas in Chennai, the state government has approved a stormwater drain project to be executed by the GCC and the state Public Welfare Department (PWD). The project is estimated to cost Rs 400 crore.
Five perpendicular drain canals are to be built as part of the project. Three of these canals will be built by Greater Chennai Corporation at the stretch from Pallikaranai Marshland and the Radial road connecting the Buckingham canal. The network will be linked from Perumbakkam to Buckingham canal and Nookampalayam to Semmencheri slum tenement. Two drain networks will be constructed by PWD at Tharambur and Navalur.
Besides the stormwater drain project, the civic body is in discussion with experts from IIT Madras to prevent flooding in areas like Baba Nagar in Villivakkam, RK Shanmugam Salai and KK Nagar, etc.
Source: The Indian Express
Kadapakkam Lake to become an eco hotspot
Sprawled over 132 acres in the Kosasthalaiyar basin, Kadapakkam Lake in Manali will soon be restored and developed into an eco hotspot by the civic body. The project is likely to receive Rs 40 crore from the Asia Development Bank (ADB).
Boating, camping, forest trail, a bird island developed using the Miyawaki method, a cycle track and children’s park are some of the features that have been made part of the project. Engineers from the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) have carried out a drone survey and are in the process of identifying consultants for the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR).
Source: The Times of India
Metrowater proposes measures to check illegal sewage disposal in Buckingham Canal
To prevent illegal disposal of sewage in Buckingham Canal, the Chennai Metrowater and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has proposed to buy 20 lorries for transporting sewage in Sholinganallur. A National Green Tribunal (NGT) panel has been formed to study the pollution in Buckingham Canal. The metrowater agency informed the panel that the tendering work is underway for the procurement of the lorries.
Fifty lorries, operated by private agencies, decant the sewage at the sewage treatment plant (STP) in Perungudi as the local STP in Sholinganallur does not have the capacity to handle additional liquid waste.
The Private Lorry Owners Association (PLOA) met with metrowater agency and complained of increased waiting time at the Perungudi STP. The CMWSSB has agreed to add 13 decanting points in addition to the 11 points in Sholinganallur and also set-up another STP. While hearing the case, the NGT Justices suggested installing CCTVs along the water bodies to monitor illegal sewage dumping in the canals.
Source: The Times of India
[Compiled by Bhavani Prabhakar]