Latest news with #GreaterChennaiCorporation
The Hindu
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
CMDA plans two sponge parks in Chennai
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is planning to develop sponge parks at Chennai Corporation Park in Thoraipakkam and Elango Nagar playground in Padi at a total cost of ₹9.45 crore to manage rainwater, recharge groundwater, and reduce flooding. This plan follows the Tamil Nadu Budget for 2025–26, in which Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu announced that seven climate-resilient sponge parks would be established across the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) at an estimated cost of ₹88 crore. The identified sites at Thoraipakkam and Padi fall under the Greater Chennai Corporation. Necessary administrative approvals were obtained to enable CMDA to take up the work, officials said. The existing structure of the parks would be retrofitted under the sponge park model. Each sponge park will include a central pond-like structure about three feet deep, designed to store rainwater collected through an underground pipe network. Once the surrounding groundwater table reaches saturation, excess rainwater will be directed into the stormwater drainage system. The sponge parks are useful in urban areas experiencing groundwater depletion and can contribute to long-term water resilience and climate adaptation in the city, the officials said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Ungaludan Stalin a single-window solution for govt services, says MaSu
Chennai: Health minister Ma. Subramanian on Tuesday reviewed the 'Ungaludan Stalin' initiative at G.M. Mahal in Nerkundram (Ward 148), Valasaravakkam Zone, and said the camps are emerging as a single-window solution for a range of govt services. Launched by chief minister M.K. Stalin on July 15 in Chidambaram, the outreach programme aims to conduct 10,000 such camps across the state by November, bringing government schemes and grievance redressal mechanisms closer to people. "What's new about these camps is the scale and integration—services from 15 departments are being offered under one roof," the minister told reporters. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai In Greater Chennai Corporation limits alone, 400 camps are planned—two in each of the 200 wards—with 109 being held this month. Six camps are being conducted daily in different localities, he added. A focus area at the Nerkundram camp was the Kalaignar Women's Rights Fund scheme, with more than 10 exclusive counters set up to process applications. Trained volunteers from the Corporation assisted women with the forms, ensuring no intermediarieswereinvolved.
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
Why renaming a Chennai road after Father Ezra Sargunam triggered political storm
The Greater Chennai Corporation has renamed Waddels Road in the city's Kilpauk area after the late Father Ezra Sargunam, sparking a political row between the ruling DMK and opposition the DMK defended the move as replacing a colonial name with an Indian one, the BJP termed it an insult to Hindus and accused the government of 'appeasement politics.'Father Ezra Sargunam, who died last year due to age-related ailments, used to live on this very street. He was a widely regarded as a trusted guide for Christians and worked actively for the rights of Scheduled Castes, minorities, and the education of the Kuruvi (ST) community. He was also instrumental in the appointment of India's first transgender pastor and maintained close ties with late DMK patriarch M However, his record was also marred by controversial remarks against Hindus, which BJP leaders have highlighted in their criticism. State BJP president Nainar Nagendran posted a video clip of Ezra Sargunam where he calls Hinduism 'an artificial religion' and urges followers to 'punch them twice in the face,' suggesting that God would forgive such the same clip, he refers to India as 'a Christian country' and questions the tolerance of Muslims towards Hindus.'Is there no limit to DMK's minority appeasement politics?' asked Nagendran on X, calling the naming 'a shame' and demanding the decision be rolled back. 'Ezra Sargunam was a known Hindu-hater who openly instigated violence against Hindus. The people of Tamil Nadu are watching,' he said. DMK leader TKS Elangovan dismissed the criticism, saying: 'The road was named after a Britisher earlier. We have now given it an Indian name. BJP is a slave of Britishers if they oppose this. Ezra Sargunam might have criticized Hindus, but even BJP leaders have spoken badly about Muslims and Christians.'BJP's Vinoj Selvam countered, saying: 'DMK is anti-Hindu at its core. Ezra Sargunam called Hinduism a fake concept and incited Muslims to rise against Hindus. The DMK has always backed him, just to appease minorities.'Father Ezra Sargunam, admired in Christian and Dalit circles for his social work, remains a polarizing figure. His contributions to education, inclusivity, and minority rights stand alongside his deeply controversial statements about Hinduism.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
India Today
2 days ago
- General
- India Today
Garbage piles, foul air: Chennai ranks 38th in Swachh Survekshan cleanliness survey
In the Centre's annual Swachh Survekshan survey, Chennai has been ranked a low 38th in terms of sanitation, cleanliness, and hygiene. The survey assessed cities on parameters like functional toilets with water supply, garbage-free surroundings, proper disposal of sanitary, biodegradable, and plastic waste, and measures to tackle to the ranking, Chennai Mayor Priya told India Today, 'We have a huge population in Chennai. Everyone must take the responsibility to keep the city neat and clean.' She added that new garbage pick-up vehicles for Zones 9 to 15 were launched on Monday to improve door-to-door collections and clean up beach generates nearly 6,500 tonnes of garbage daily. While Kodungaiyur and Perungudi remain the official landfills, unofficial dumping has mushroomed in empty plots, riverbanks, and roadside corners, particularly in Nolambur, Ambattur, Pallikaranai, Korattur, Ennore, Madhavaram, and parts of Nungambakkam and Choolaimedu. An India Today reality check in Nolambur and Nungambakkam revealed uncollected garbage at multiple sites. In Nolambur, the riverside road has deteriorated into a pigsty, swarming with stray animals and emitting a foul stench despite several apartment complexes lining the stretch. Overflowing bins and scattered trash make the air unbearable for Chanakya Road, near an educational institution, piles of construction waste lie unattended, stagnant water mixes with plastics and food scraps, and an adjacent empty plot used as a dumping point overflows daily. A polytechnic college next to the site sees students complain of the smell seeping into prime localities like Nungambakkam are not spared. A residential street in the heart of Chennai was strewn with garbage until Greater Chennai Corporation collectors arrived only by 12:30 pm, leaving residents to endure the mess all morning. While the city administration promises better collection measures, the Mayor stressed that civic responsibility also lies with the public to maintain cleanliness in the city.- Ends
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Over 900 city roads remain pending since 2021, Infra News, ETInfra
Advt Advt On paper, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has spent 1,692 crore on laying and re-laying about 15,100 roads in the city since 2021. So, the city ought to be looking pretty with road-users whizzing around on good motorable roads, right? But, that is not to be. Despite spending a fortune on the roads, the commuters, particularly those in areas added to the city and North Chennai neighbourhoods, get no respite from potholes and battered than 900 roads have not been re-laid at all since 2021. Another 400-plus stretches were removed from re-laying plans during the past five years due to underground works by Metrowater. For the record, of the 18,895 roads in the city, work was completed on 15,107. A total of 2,221 crore was allocated for road projects under NSMT, TURIF, and capital fund from GCC since 2021, and road projects worth 1,692 crore have been grievances galore. Year after year, only the core city areas were given priority, at the cost of the newly added areas as well as large pockets of North Chennai. Several interior roads have been completely neglected and are yet to be sanctioned, despite multiple complaints to GCC. The extended areas suffer the most, with many roads still unpaved despite being added to the GCC limits. In case of complaints, the GCC blames Metrowater or Metrorail for the poor road conditions."The roads were laid soon after the Assembly elections in 2021 but were immediately dug up by Tangedco for underground cable work. After that was finished, we expected the roads to be re-laid. Instead, the Metrowater carried out further road cuts for the drainage system. Although that work was completed last year, the GCC has still not re-laid the interior roads. When we enquired with the authorities, they said the delay of more than a year is due to funds not yet being allocated," said M Karthikeyan of Kottivakkam, where roads were re-laid a decade after being added to the GCC limits."Only about 30% of the allocated funds are used for road re-laying, while the rest is lost to corruption. There should be a road safety audit for GCC roads, like what exists for the state highways. It would help address recurring issues with poor road quality," said G Uma Devi, retired professor of civil engineering at Anna University."The govt has allocated 400 crore for re-laying roads under NSMT and TURIF, and 86 crore has been provided from GCC capital fund. The work is expected to be completed across the city by the end of Aug," said GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran."To avoid digging up newly re-laid roads, and since the Metrowater did not hand over some roads after completing their work, we had to drop 425 roads until the 2024-25 financial year," he said. Until Metrowater gives a no objection certificate, these roads will not be re-laid. Chennai mayor R Priya told TOI, "A large number of damaged roads have been identified and re-laid in 2023. At least 6,133 roads were re-laid, especially after Cyclone Michaung. As per the TUFIDCO inspection, many roads do not require re-laying. We have ensured that additional roads have been laid across the city since 2021."Residents and activists, however, complain about the authorities' failure to act during the summer months. The ideal period for re-laying roads in the city is between April and July. However, unlike previous years, Chennai witnessed an early onset of summer this year. The GCC did not re-lay roads during this peak season and instead commenced work only earlier this month, citing administrative delays.
