Latest news with #M.SivaguruPrabakaran
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Construction of Ukkadam bus stand in Coimbatore to take off after State government sanctions funds
The Coimbatore Corporation's plan to construct a new bus stand in Ukkadam in Coimbatore city is delayed as the civic body awaits the State government's sanction of funds for the revised estimate of ₹29 crore for the project. The Ukkadam bus stand, which was partially demolished in January 2023 to facilitate the construction of the now-completed Ukkadam flyover, was to be developed by the Corporation into a new facility with two terminals. Terminal one will be located adjacent to the down ramp on Selvapuram Road, and Terminal two will be at the existing site. Together, the terminals will occupy approximately 6.5 acres. The project aims to ease traffic congestion within the city with better management of both, town and inter-city bus services. The new bus stand is estimated to handle approximately 1,100 trips daily, covering routes to Pollachi, Palani, Udumalpet, and Palakkad. Terminal one, spanning 13,250 sq. mt, is designed to include 28 bus bays, a commercial complex housing 17 retail outlets, restroom facilities, two food courts, a passenger waiting area, a ticket booking counter, and a security room. Terminal two, covering an equal area, will feature 30 bus bays and have similar amenities. A dedicated parking facility with capacity for 32 cars and 100 two-wheelers is also being planned, complemented by foot overbridges connecting the two terminals. Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran told The Hindu that the Detailed Project Report (DPR), originally estimated at ₹21.55 crore, was revised to ₹29 crore following the inclusion of additional components recommended during vetting of the proposal by IIT Madras. The revised report was submitted three months ago. 'The State government is yet to sanction the funds. The project will commence once the requisite funding is approved,' the Commissioner said.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
State government releases ₹11 crore of its share for Semmozhi Poonga project in Coimbatore
The State government has released ₹11 crore towards its share of the ₹167.25-crore Semmozhi Poonga project in Coimbatore. The project is being developed by the Coimbatore Corporation on a 45-acre site at the central prison grounds in Gandhipuram. The total cost is to be shared equally between the Corporation and the State government, with each contributing ₹83.62 crore. Owing to the non-receipt of funds from the State government, work on the site had reported to be slowed down in recent months. Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said that around ₹95 crore had been spent so far on construction, but only ₹6 crore had been released earlier by the State government. 'The issue was sorted out after constant follow-up. We have submitted the bills to the government, and a Government Order for releasing ₹11 crore has now been issued. The remaining ₹50 crore will be released in phases. Work is progressing at the right pace now,' he said. He added that the Corporation has also planned to install a giant wheel and a zip line within the park. A detailed project report has been prepared and is currently being vetted by the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board. These additions are proposed under the public-private partnership mode.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Over 500 contract workers protest in Coimbatore demanding PF dues, fair wages, and direct employment
Over 500 contract workers involved in solid waste management services in Coimbatore city staged a protest in front of the Collectorate on Monday, demanding fair wages, clearance of pending PF and ESI payments, and permanent employment under the Corporation. Organised by a coalition of labour unions, the protest included sanitation and municipal workers who submitted a petition to the District Collector demanding the removal of the newly appointed contractor and direct employment under the Corporation. The protest has continued for the past three days. Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said the workers were informed about their payment details and clarified that they were being paid around ₹700 per day. He added that salary slips would be issued going forward. He said the PF and ESI dues had been pending only since January and would be credited soon. On vehicle availability, he said the previous contractor had left several vehicles in damaged condition, and the new contractor had brought in 25 rented vehicles operated by owner-cum-drivers to ensure continuity in waste collection. The workers have been called for further talks by Corporation officials.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Coimbatore Corporation gets State government nod for ₹245-crore RO plant in city
Coimbatore Corporation has received State government approval to establish a ₹245-crore Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant on the Ukkadam Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) premises. With a capacity of 25 million litres per day (MLD), the plant is intended to supply treated sewage water for industrial use, thereby reducing dependence on freshwater sources. Of the total project cost, ₹73.5 crore will be contributed by the Central government, while the remaining amount will be mobilised through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. A proposal submitted by the civic body was approved in March this year by the Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply. According to the Corporation, the existing sewage treatment plants in the city carry out only secondary treatment, making the water suitable only for non-potable uses. The proposed Tertiary Treated Reverse Osmosis (TTRO) plant will carry out tertiary-level treatment, including ultra-filtration, reverse osmosis, and disinfection, bringing the water up to potable quality as per Central Pollution Control Board norms. However, the treated water will be supplied only for non-potable purposes that currently depend on freshwater sources. An official involved in the project said a consultant had been appointed to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and identify potential users. The Corporation was mapping industrial demand by dividing the city into six corridors — Avinashi Road, Trichy Road, Mettupalayam Road, Sathyamangalam Road, Pollachi Road, and Perur Road. The study would assess the availability and demand for freshwater in industries, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), hospitals, luxury hotels, and other non-domestic sectors. 'The treated water from the 70 MLD Ukkadam Sewage Treatment Plant will serve as the source for the TTRO plant, where it will undergo tertiary-level treatment. It will then be conveyed through pipelines to overhead tanks, which will be constructed near industrial clusters. From there, it will be supplied to individual units either by gravity or pumping. The pricing and other charges will be determined based on stakeholder inputs and operating costs,' the official said. 'The DPR is currently being prepared, and further work will be initiated upon its completion,' said Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Environmental activists oppose Coimbatore Corporation's move to rent smart city lake spaces for commercial activities
Environmental activists have raised concerns over the Coimbatore Corporation's decision to rent out lake spaces for commercial activities. They argue that the move will further disrupt the biodiversity in the city, which has already been affected by previous developments under the Smart Cities Mission. Of the nine lakes managed by the civic body, seven, including Ukkadam Big Tank, Kurichi, Selva Chinthamani, and Valankulam, have been identified for this purpose. The Corporation has engaged a consultant to coordinate various events such as business meetings, product launches, marriage ceremonies, and art and cultural events, aiming to generate revenue. The spaces, which were previously developed with the possibility of hosting such events in mind, will charge fees on an hourly basis or a per-day rate, depending on the event requirements. Activists argue that these commercial activities would exacerbate the negative impact on local biodiversity. 'The biodiversity is already significantly affected. We opposed the conversion of lake bunds into walking tracks and beautification projects. Now, increased human activity on the lakefronts will disrupt species like butterflies and birds, which rely on these areas as habitats. Events with loud music and bright lights will interfere with bird roosting, causing them to gradually move to other wetlands,' said K. Mohanraj, an environmental activist. Another activist raised concerns about the increase in waste. 'More foot traffic will lead to higher waste disposal along the lake, worsening existing solid waste issues. Pollutants like plastics and food waste could enter the water, affecting aquatic ecosystems and water quality. Instead of prioritising revenue generation, these spaces should be regulated with proper waste management to maintain sustainability and protect biodiversity.' Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said, 'Commercial activities will be regulated with proper waste management measures in place. Late-night events will not be permitted in consideration of biodiversity, and the revenue generated from these events will be used solely to improve and maintain the lakes.'
