Stale meat found in Chennai eateries
In a crackdown by the officials of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) around 400 kgs of meat was confiscated from restaurants and eateries. The inspection was carried out in and around the Koyambedu area on push-carts and eateries.
Officials found a range of violations such as improper storage of food, stale food, and rotten meat such as mutton, chicken, beef, pork and fish being used to make food. The inspection follow on the heels of multiple reports of illness for patrons due to the poor quality of food being served at restaurants across the city. Infestations of flies are another issue spotted by the officials.
A majority of the eateries raided were not aware of the standards prescribed by the FSSAI and did not have the required licence to operate. Penalties were imposed on the eateries found to be in violation of FSSAI norms.
Source: The Indian Express
Read more: Is the street food in Chennai safe and hygienic?
TNUHDB denies building tenements in water bodies
The Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) has denied the construction of tenements in water bodies. The statement comes in response to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) stated so in a report released earlier.
The TNUHDB clarified that the settlement built in Moorthi Nagar was not on watershed land. The TNUHDB referred to the reclassification of the land by the revenue department from water body to residential. The TNUHDB also added that expenditure paid so far has only been for the extent of the work done by the contractor, such as the laying of roads, and setting up of street lights, lifts, and structures for rainwater harvesting and drinking water supply.
Source: DTNext
Expedited land acquisition for infra projects
The Greater Chennai Corporation has asked the office of the District Collector to expedite land acquisition for various bridge projects across zones. The Collectorate will swing into action and ensure the speedy completion of the acquisition.
Projects such as the bridge in Vadaperumbakkam in Manali zone require the acquisition of 14 parcels of private land. Around 70% of the bridge has been completed. Another bridge at Valluvar Kottam also requires the acquisition of land including 30,784 sq. ft of private land.
A social impact assessment and social impact management plan will be drawn up by the officer appointed by the Collector to carry out the acquisition. Two more bridges at Nolambur and Tondiarpet also require land acquisition.
Source: The Hindu
Crackdown on illegal hostels in Chennai
Women’s hostels in Chennai will soon come under the scanner of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) after many complaints about their operations in the city. Officials will soon carry out inspections that will cover various aspects such as fire safety, sanitation and stability. A team will be established by the Collector for this purpose. The Social Welfare Department will also be made a part of the effort.
The aim is to identify and weed out hostels operated illegally in the city without basic facilities. As of date, more than 1,000 hostels have applied for permission to operate in the city by registering with the district administration.
Sanitation inspectors will be provided with more power to inspect and regulate the functioning of the hostels. A majority of the hostels in the city have their presence in and around the IT corridor.
The number of persons staying in a hostel will also be regulated, with a space of 100 sq.ft mandated for each person.
Source: The Hindu
Read more: Horror stories abound as many Chennai hostels flout all norms
Global sports city in Semmenchery
A sports city with a football stadium, swimming pools, race tracks and a velodrome could soon come up in Semmenchery. The project was announced by the state government in the last budget.
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority will undertake an exercise to identify land suitable for this purpose and begin the process of preparing a detailed project report. Sites in Semmenchery, Vandalur and Kuthambakkam are under consideration.
World-class sporting infrastructure that can host national and international tournaments has been envisioned for this space.
Source: The New Indian Express
[Compiled by Aruna Natarajan]