Pallikaranai gets eco-park
A new eco-park has been inaugurated at the Pallikaranai marshland. Chief Minister MK Stalin opened the park to the public through video conferencing. The eco-park has a walking path, greenery and boards displaying the details of flora and fauna, including the many migratory birds that make the marshland their home. The eco-park was created at a cost of Rs 20 crores.
A few other measures have been taken to protect the ecosystem such as the building of a wall along Tambaram-Velachery in order to prevent encroachments. A proposal has also been sent to the Union Government to declare Pallikaranai a Ramsar site. The tag, if granted, could aid in conservation and protection of the marshland.
Source: The Hindu | The Indian Express
Read more: How an international tag can help save the Pallikaranai marshland
Corporation schools to get a facelift
Schools run by the Greater Chennai Corporation will undergo renovation under a new scheme by the civic body. The infrastructure of various schools under its control is set to be upgraded at a cost of Rs 61.7 crores as part of the CITIIS (City Investments To Innovate, Integrate and Sustain) scheme.
Work orders have been issued for renovation of six schools while the tendering process is underway for eight more schools. Project estimates are being worked on for 12 more schools.
The funding for these projects is managed by the National Institute of Urban Affairs and covers 28 schools. The civic body also plans to renovate all 281 schools managed by it at a cost of Rs 1525 crores. The funding for this will be raised through NGOs, Corporate CSR and funding agencies.
Source: The Times of India | The New Indian Express
Kathipara Urban Square inauguration postponed
The Kathipara Urban Square, a transport and recreation hub, is set to be inaugurated in the coming weeks. Plans to throw the square open to the public had to be postponed as the Chief Minister MK Stalin had to rush to Coonoor to pay respects to Gen Bipin Rawat’s remains. According to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMR), the new dates for the inauguration of Urban Square depends on the schedule of the Chief Minister.
The Urban Square has been built over 5.96 lakh sq.ft at the cost of Rs 14 crores. It will have facilities such as restaurants, play area for children, dining area, walking path and bus stops. The space under the sprawling cloverleaf flyover has been put to full use through this project.
Source: The Hindu | The New Indian Express
Read more: Chennai Metro’s Kathipara urban square project: What citizens can look forward to
Route maps for waste management goes online
The Greater Chennai Corporation has published route maps of various compactor vehicles that carry waste. In addition to this the schedules of the vehicles have also been shared online.
The information can be accessed at https://chennaicorporation.gov.in/gcc/swm_bin.
The residents can now monitor the vehicles and complain of any delays or irregularities by calling 1913, the civic body helpline.
Currently, the maps have been shared for the four zones managed by the Chennai Corporation – Tondiarpet, Ambattur, Royapuram and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar. The maps for the zones that are handled by the contractor Urbaser Sumeet and Ramky Enviro will also be added online shortly.
The contractors will be penalised for failure to adhere to the terms of their contracts and various performance indicators.
Source: The Times of India
[Compiled by Aruna Natarajan]