88 tonnes of banned plastic seized in January

It has been one month since the implementation of plastic ban in the state and the city has had mixed response from various quarters. Chennai corporation has seized 88 tonnes of banned plastic in the city during the last 31 days. According to the data compiled by the civic body, the largest quantity of banned plastics has been seized from outlets in Kodambakkam zone, while the lowest were in Madhavaram zone.

It has also been reported that many retailers have gone back to use of banned items, especially bags and packaging material. From the markets in Koyambedu to TASMAC bars, many big and small businesses are found to have reverted to the use and distribution of plastic carry bags, cups and glasses. Some allege that while manufacturing units in the state have been shut down, arrivals from other states are contributing to the continued circulation of such items in the city.

Source: The Hindu

Metrowater gets Rs 122 crore to tackle water crisis

Chennai and its suburbs have 3600 water bodies but lack of a long term strategy has the city staring at a drought like situation.  The CMWSSB presently supplies around 550 mld from Poondi, Cholavaram, Redhills and Chembarambakkam lakes, desalination plants and agricultural wells but that is likely to continue only till March.

Assessing the current situation, the Chief Minister has sanctioned Rs 158 crore for the drinking water supply schemes, of which Rs 122 crore has been allotted for the Metrowater Board.

Source: The New Indian Express | The Hindu | The Times of India

Chennai Metro ready to inaugurate AG DMS to Washermanpet stretch

The last stretch of Phase 1 of Chennai Metro is all set to be open for public use. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the stretch from AG DMS to Washermanpet in the second week of February.

Under Phase 2 of the project, three corridors will be developed to decongest the city which is being funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The 108-km long network planned under Phase 2 is expected to become operational by the year 2024.

Chennai Metro has tweaked one of the corridors to link areas in western suburbs. With this new alignment, commuters can shift corridors through 5 interchange stations – Alwarthirunagar, Valsaravakkam, Karabakkam, Alapakkam junction and Porur junction.

Source:  The Hindu | Financial Express | The Times of India

Officials pulled up by High Court for Thoraipakkam mess

The Madras High Court has issued a stern warning to the corporation officials for lack of basic amenities for the residents at Thoraipakkam. Hearing the plea filed by Kokilambal Nagar and Alagappa Nagar Resident’s Welfare Association, the Court expressed displeasure that the residents have not been provided with sewage connections, water and storm water drains. The bench also pulled up officials for not involving any other department of the state government other than the CMWSSB or any representative of the petitioner’s Association while discussing the Joint Action Plan for execution of schemes to improve amenities. The Court has warned that the chief secretary would be summoned if a plan is not provided in the next hearing.

Source: The New Indian Express | The Times of India

Mass drive to check dog population

Chennai Corporation in partnership with NGOs is planning a massive drive to sterilise street dogs and control dog population. The initiative is in the planning stage and is set to be the second such drive after 2014. The programme is likely to be rolled out in Ambattur zone and will be extended later to other zones.  As per the dog census, there are 53000 stray dogs in the city.

Source: The Times of India

[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]