Conservancy workers stage protest, demand regulating their jobs
Conservancy workers hired on contract through the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) organised a demonstration in Ambattur demanding regularisation of their jobs. As their contract is set to end by mid-July, the conservancy workers sought immediate intervention from the state government.
According to the worker’s union, Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam (UUI), in an ongoing case, the Madras High Court had ordered the civic body to not discontinue their contract for three months. With the three-month timeframe having already expired, the workers are concerned about their livelihoods as the legal hearing has not taken place yet.
There were about 1,500 conservancy workers engaged temporarily under the NULM in Zone 7 (Ambattur) of the Corporation. The Union feels that the move to outsource conservancy work to Chennai Enviro Solutions Pvt. Ltd., (a part of the Ramky Group) means they may get sacked without prior notice. While the private firm has agreed to employ a small section of the workers, the pay they offer is not on par with the current salary.
Source: The Hindu
Read more: How much can we do? ask Chennai’s conservancy workers
New greenery to come up in Chennai
Local Administration Minister K N Nehru stated that Chennai would get another greenery similar to the Adyar Eco Park in R A Puram. The green cover expansion will take place on the banks of Adyar and Cooum rivers and the Buckingham canal. The state government would spend around Rs 2,600 crore on this project where the restoration would be done in a holistic manner. The project will also focus on feeder canals that drain sewage and into the water bodies.
The place where Kosasthalaiyar, Cooum, Adyar and Kovalam rivers drain into the sea, at Ennore, Napier bridge, Adyar and Muttukadu is being targetted for the restoration project as part of broad measures to improve the city’s green cover. The implementing agencies plan to set up multiple parks along the banks of these water bodies.
Source: The Times of India
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Drive to beautify public walls launched
The city corporation has begun a new campaign to remove posters that deface public walls. In this special drive, five bus route roads will be taken up everyday in every zone for removal of the illegal posters. The walls will be beautified by painting black and white stripes across the city.
The corporation, in the long term, has cautioned against persons defacing the wall in public spaces. Residents wanting to lodge complaints regarding illegal posters can do so by dialling 1913.
Source: The New Indian Express
SWD project in Kargil Nagar
In a bid to prevent flooding, the civic body has begun constructing an integrated stormwater drain in Kargil Nagar in Thiruvottiyur which is one of the most neglected areas in north Chennai. This project is being executed at a cost of Rs 142 crore and covers 32.66 km.
The locality falls short in terms of civic infrastructure and suffers from water stagnation. In the latest flood mitigation project undertaken by the civic body, Kargil Nagar has been included.
Since the locality is a low lying area, to prevent reverse water flow from the Buckingham Canal which lies at a higher altitude, the civic body would commission a shutter and a heavy-duty motor for pumping out water. When the rains are heavy, the shutter will be closed to prevent the flow. The project is expected to be completed in 36 months.
Source: The Hindu
[Compiled by Bhavani Prabhakar]