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New Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
WRD plans fresh round of evictions along Cooum, Adyar rivers and Buckingham canal
CHENNAI: In line with Madras High Court directions, another round of evictions is likely along the Cooum and Adyar rivers, and the Buckingham canal. This eviction drive will also include families residing along the Cooum who were allotted land under the World Bank-funded MUDP scheme. The Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) had told the court that though allotments were made by the board, sale deeds have not been issued to the beneficiaries as the land under the scheme have not yet been transferred to the board so far. TNUHDB said the scheme area remains with the Public Works Department. The order by Justice GR Swaminathan stated, when the area occupied by the petitioners is a waterbody, they have to vacate it and the only remedy they can seek is alternative accommodation. 'The high court has been constantly directing us to restore Chennai rivers and Buckingham Canal after removing the encroachments. But we are not sure if we will be able to resettle encroachers within the deadline given to us,' a senior WRD official told TNIE. The official said that out of 15,526 families living in 60 habitations along the Cooum river, 14,121 families from 52 habitations have already been relocated till April this year. 'Efforts are on to shift the remaining families,' he said. As for the Adyar river, out of 9,539 identified encroachments, only 4,728 locations have been cleared so far. In another order earlier this month, Justice Swaminathan directed TNUHDB to carry out an enumeration of families at Srinivasapuram in Pattinampakkam and evict them within eight weeks, and provide them alternate housing arrangements. The court called the settlement an 'illegal extension' of TNUHDB habitation in the area constructed between 1970 and 1977 in the Adyar creek and on the coastline. Another official pointed out that a feasibility report costing Rs 3.87 crore has been submitted for the demarcation of the Adyar, Cooum, and Buckingham Canal using Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), under the Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust (CRRT) fund. 'In addition, CRRT has approved Rs 11.93 crore for boundary demarcation works along the Buckingham Canal, and the work is already underway,' he said. 'We believe once the government releases funds, the remaining work can be taken up quickly,' an official noted. M Janaki, chief engineer of WRD (Chennai region), refused to comment on the issue.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
80% of Semmozhi Poonga works completed in Coimbatore
The Coimbatore Corporation is racing against time to complete phase one works of the ₹167.25-crore Semmozhi Poonga project, coming up on 45 acres at the Central Prison Grounds in Gandhipuram. The civic body officials said that 80% of the project has been completed. The botanical garden and related infrastructure have reached 83% progress, while the convention centre has also advanced to 83%. Pipelines carrying treated water from the Ukkadam Sewage Treatment Plant and the ground-level parking facility have been completed. A dedicated bus shelter, designed to reflect key features of the park, is to be completed by mid-July. Themed gardens The park will feature 23 themed gardens, an experience centre, artificial waterfall, cafeteria, retail outlets, and a 500-seat open-air theatre. The convention centre is being built to seat 1,000 people and will house a conference hall, guest lounges, and related facilities. The parking area will accommodate 453 cars, 10 buses and 1,000 two-wheelers, with electric vehicle charging stations. Other facilities include a 4,000 sq. ft. terrarium, a 42-metre-high Ferris wheel, and a one-kilometre zipline, which is planned to be installed post-inauguration. Accessibility features include battery-operated vehicles, wheelchairs, and audio-enabled glasses for visually impaired visitors. Information boards with QR codes and barcodes will provide plant species details. According to sources, Principal Secretary and CRRT Member Secretary Rajendra Ratnoo recently inspected the site. Following a review chaired by the Chief Secretary on October 26, 2024, the Corporation was directed to finalise the Business and Operational Plan before inauguration and place it before the council. The formation of the Semmozhi Poonga Management Committee has also been instructed. Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said the works are expected to be completed within 45 days.
