Chennai Buzz: 24×7 water supply pilot | Steel flyover in T Nagar..and more!

More news in this weekly recap: Applications for basic income scheme; NGT seeks report on Korattur lake; New waste management ideas in Chennai.

Application for basic income scheme for women launched in Chennai

Applications have been made available for the Kalaignar Magalir Udhavi Thittam, the basic income scheme for women launched by the Tamil Nadu state government. 

The scheme excludes households that own a four-wheeler or consumes more than 500 units of electricity per billing cycle. The scheme is expected to benefit one crore women state-wide. 

The first phase of the scheme will be rolled out in half of Chennai’s 200 wards. Eligible beneficiaries will be identified and provided financial assistance of Rs 1000 per month. A total of 8.56 lakh application forms will be distributed during the first phase. 

Women can either visit camps that have been set up to collect the forms or receive the forms and tokens from ration shop employees who have been tasked with the distribution.

The scheme is due to be launched officially on September 15, 2023. Residents have been encouraged to call the 1913 helpline of the civic body for any questions or clarifications. 

Source: The Hindu | Deccan Herald


Read more: The slow killing of Korattur Lake: Can it be reversed?


NGT seeks report on pollution of Korattur Lake

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a report from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) on the discharge of sewage effluents into Korattur Lake. The bench sought details on the discharge into the lake from the nearby SIDCO industrial estate.

The NGT has also asked the TNPCB to look into how a private firm near the lake is also handling hazardous waste such as sludge. Aavin has also been made party to the proceedings, having been asked to furnish information on the functioning of its unit near the lake.

The NGT has also directed the  Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to conduct a spot check of the lake and file a report on the same. 

The matter was taken up by the NGT after an application by the Korattur Lake Protecting People’s Movement seeking action on discharge of sewage and effluents into the lake. 

Source: DTNext | The Hindu

24×7 water supply pilot in two zones in Chennai

The Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has entered into an agreement with the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) to launch a pilot for uninterrupted water supply in two zones in the city.

The MoU between the two bodies was signed earlier this week.

The two zones where the pilot is set to take place are Zone 10 and Zone 13, covering parts of Kodambakkam, T Nagar, Vadapalani, Adyar, West Mambalam, Guindy and Ekkatuthangal. 

WATCO will serve as the nodal agency for the project which is estimated to cost Rs 1958.25 crores. The pilot will also examine the possibility of the use of water directly from the taps for both cooking and drinking. Improvements will also be made to the water distribution infrastructure including the replacement of old pipelines in the pilot Zones. 

Source: The Hindu

chennai water supply
The pilot by WATCO is expected to provide water round the clock in two zones. Pic: Essar/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY:SA 3.0)

Read more: Irregular water supply not just a seasonal issue for many Chennai families


Steel flyover to come up in T Nagar

The Greater Chennai Corporation is set to construct a steel flyover in T Nagar at a cost of Rs 131 crore. The flyover is expected to ease congestion on South Usman Road and provide connectivity from Anna Salai to T Nagar via CIT Nagar. 

The construction of the flyover will make it the second-only steel flyover in the state after the one in Kanyakumari.

The steel flyover is also expected to be linked to the concrete flyover on North Usman Road at a later stage. The steel flyover will be 1.2 km long and at a height of 6.5 metres. Entry and exit ramps will be provided for shoppers to access Ranganathan Street. 

The decision to opt for steel as the material of choice comes from the shorter time frame it would take for the work to be completed.

Source: The Times of India

GCC looking into new waste management efforts

Following the visit of Mayor R Priya to Rome, Paris and Barcelone to study the waste management practices in place, new initiatives may be launched by the Greater Chennai Corporation in the city. 

One of the ideas from the trip is the implementation of an automatic waste collection system in large apartment complexes through the use of chutes and a suction method to collect segregated waste via underground pipes that lead to a temporary storage area. 

A report on the visit submitted to the Chief Minister talks of the possibility of the implementation of such a pneumatic waste collection system, as seen in Barcelona, on a pilot basis in Chennai. 

Other possible changes to the waste management system include the setting up of waste-to-energy plants that adhere to European standards and do not emit odour. Bins with drop holes as seen in Rome could soon become a common sight in Chennai.

Source: The Times of India | The Hindu

[Compiled by Aruna Natarajan]

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