Chennai Buzz: U-shaped flyover in OMR to be opened | Port-Maduravoyal project revived..and more!

More news in this weekly recap: Telemedicine services launched at RGGGH; GCC kicks off mass clean-up campaign in Chennai.

Telemedicine services launched at RGGGH

Chennai’s largest government hospital, the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, has rolled out telemedicine services for various specialities. The consultations will take place between Monday to Saturday. The departments that are covered include paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, dermatology, surgery, general medicine and geriatrics.

The teleconsultation service will be available from 9 am to 12 noon. The service can be availed by those who are over 18 years of age. The departments will operate on staggered timings each day for six days of the week. The service has been launched with a view to help elderly patients and those who are unable to visit the hospital in person.

Source: The Hindu


Read more: Swachh Survekshan ranking signals broad issues in waste management in Chennai


Metro Water seeks funds for sewer-cleaning machines in Chennai

The Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has sought administrative sanction to procure new sewer-cleaning machines. The agency has sought funds to the tune of Rs 55 crore to upgrade the equipment that is used to clean the city’s sewers. The funds have been sought from the Swachh Bharat Mission.

CMWSSB currently has a fleet of 537 sewer-cleaning machines. Of this, over one-fourth are more than eight years old and in need of replacement. The machines that the agency has listed for replacement include jet rodding machines, suction machines, and machines used for desilting. The agency aims to curb manual scavenging with the use of machinery and has been training the employees in their use. 

Source: The Times of India

A manual worker in Chennai on his cycle
As jet-rodding machines cannot get into the narrow streets in Chennai, manual workers use iron rods to clear the blocks. Pic: Shobana Radhakrishnan

GCC launches mass clean-up campaign

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has identified a total of 12 spots across the city, near major waterways, for a mass clean-up campaign. The campaign will involve the active participation of local residents. The aim is to improve cleanliness, ensure proper preparedness for the monsoon and prevent hazards to health.

The areas identified include Pudupet, Egmore and Chintadripet. As part of the campaign, those found littering the areas along waterways will be imposed a fine. CCTV cameras will be used to identify any miscreants.

GCC Commissioner Radhakrishnan has appealed for the residents to work with an 18,000-strong workforce of the GCC in ensuring the cleanliness of the city and improving public health.

Source: The Hindu


Read more: All in a day’s work: What the metro water manual workers in Chennai face


Port-Maduravoyal project to be completed in over two years

The long-pending project of constructing an elevated double-decker highway to connect the Chennai Port and Maduravoyal will commence soon as per authorities of the Chennai Port. The project has faced various delays since it was first mooted in 2009. 

The total cost of the project was initially estimated to be Rs 1655 crore at the time of its conception in 2009. But the 20.6 km highway’s project cost is now pegged at Rs 5855 crore. Tenders for the project have been awarded.

The construction of the highway is expected to be completed within two and a half years. 

Source: The New Indian Express

OMR flyover to be open to the public shortly

One of two U-shaped flyovers that have been under construction in Old Mahabalipuram Road is expected to be opened for public use in just over two weeks. The work on the flyover near the Indira Nagar MRTS is nearing completion, according to officials of the Tamil Nadu Road Development Corporation (TNRDC). The second flyover near TIDEL Park will be opened in December as work is ongoing.

Both the flyovers have been constructed at a cost of Rs 108.13 crore. The aim is to ease the congestion of traffic and allow for vehicles from Siruseri to make a U-turn at an elevated level using the flyover. 

The delay in the opening of the second flyover has been attributed to the presence of various utilities such as water and power lines that had to be relocated. 

Source: DTNext

[Compiled by Aruna Natarajan]

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