Flood mitigation project gets central nod
The Central government has given its nod for a comprehensive flood mitigation project and has recommended it to the World Bank for loan assistance. The project that is expected to take off in six months will help reduce the vulnerability of several localities to floods in different river basins, including lower Palar, Araniyar, and Kosasthalaiyar.
Additional storage of nearly 4.76 thousand million cubic feet will also be created to cater to the drinking water needs of the city. Various structures, including check dams, recharge wells and sub-surface dykes, will be constructed in rivers as part of the project, to enhance groundwater recharge and storage. Besides construction of these new structures, riverine reservoirs will also be built in major waterways, including the Adyar river, at a cost of ₹80 crore.
Source: The Hindu
Three biowaste treatment plants to come up in the city
The Greater Chennai Corporation will call for tenders soon to set up three bio-gas CNG plants in the city. The plants that will be in public-private partnership will be set up at Pallikkaranai, Shollinganallur and Annanagar at a cost of Rs 9.3 crore. For dry waste, the corporation has planned incinerators at Manali, Madhavaram and Thiruvottiyur. 55% of the 5500 tonnes of waste generated every day in the city is wet waste.
Source: The Times of India
Temperature soars, but water woes likely to ease
Chennai has started witnessing rise in temperature yet again. The Met department has ruled out possible rains in the city in the immediate, and has forecast an increase in day temperature.
However, the city might get relief from the water woes as the Veeranam lake, the main source of water for the city, is likely to get more water. With Karnataka releasing Cauvery water, Mettur dam has seen an increase in water levels, following which the water from Mettur dam is expected to reach Veeranam Lake soon.
This comes as welcome relief after reports that the water level at the Veeranam lake was fast falling and could be expected to last only for the next 20 days.
Source: The Times of India | The New Indian Express
Chennai to become the first to use treated sewage water for industries
When the Kodungaiyur treatment plant becomes operational this week, Chennai will earn the distinction of being the first city in the country to use treated sewage water for industrial purpose. Once the plant is commissioned, the freshwater saved will be supplied to residential areas in Tiruvottiyur, Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Madhavaram and Manali in the North, and Chintadripet, Purasawalkam, Egmore, T Nagar, and Mambalam in the central part of the city. The plant in Kodungaiyur will initially treat 15 MLD, which will slowly be increased to 35 MLD, and then to its full capacity of 45 MLD. Another treatment plant is under construction in Koyambedu, and will become operational in September. Together, these two plants can treat upto 90 million litres of sewage per day.
Source: The New Indian Express
[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]