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Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Snubbed last year, Madurai corpn earns Rs13.5cr NCAP grant
Madurai: Madurai corporation has been allocated 13.5 crore under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for 2025-26 by the Union environment ministry. The civic body, which missed out on funds last year for failing to meet pollution reduction targets, qualified this time after bringing down particulate matter levels significantly. According to corporation officials, the real-time air-quality stations in the city show the average concentration of coarse particulate matter (PM10) dipped from 63 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) in March 2024 to 53 µg/m³ this March, while the finer and more harmful PM2.5 fell from 30 µg/m³ to 25 µg/m³. Though still above the national annual limits—60 µg/m³ for PM10 and 40 µg/m³ for PM2.5—the improvement met the threshold set by the central govt. Speaking to TOI, corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan said that most of this year's grant will be channelled into "end-to-end, dust-free" resurfacing of key roads. "Better carriageways mean fewer potholes and less loose soil, which directly cuts the dust that shows up in our PM10 readings," she said. Only a small share will go to parks, as the civic body plans to tap other schemes for green spaces, the commissioner added. A senior corporation engineer added that a large number of underground drainage and drinking water pipeline works were completed in many wards. "Since most of the digging-related civic works are over, the particulate matter has reduced compared to last year and this is the right time to take up permanent road laying, which will help keep dust under control in the long term," he said. Under NCAP guidelines, corporation must spend the entire grant and log another five-point fall in particulate levels by March 2026 to stay eligible for next year's tranche. M Raj Kumar, a civic activist, said that end-to-end road paving is most needed for the city as many roads lack it and the NCAP fund should be fully utilised for it rather than spending it on other activities. He also said that corporations should enlist a plan to control air pollution levels every year so that they don't miss out on funds.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Time of India
Plan to develop Samanar Hills
1 2 Madurai: The state tourism department has submitted a proposal to the govt seeking ₹1.27 crore to develop basic amenities at Samanar Hills, an ancient Jain heritage site near Keelakuyilkudi, on the outskirts of Madurai. The govt had announced in the state budget to promote heritage tourism and improve visitor facilities at historically significant Buddhist and Jain sites in Kanchipuram and Madurai. According to officials, the work includes installation of container toilets for men and women, construction of pathways using RR stone paving, borewell arrangements, paver-laid approach roads, solar-powered street lighting, visitor seating, and hoardings providing historical context. The plan also includes a compound wall with grills near the pond, an entrance gate, and other landscaping and signage improvements. Despite its historical significance, it is pointed out that the area lacks basic infrastructure and visibility on the tourist map. "There are several heritage sites across Keelakuyilkudi and nearby villages that suffer from neglect. In many places, there are no proper direction boards or signage explaining their history," said M Raj Kumar, a civic activist. A senior tourism department official said better visitor infrastructure has become essential due to rising footfall at offbeat heritage spots. "We've seen a steady increase in interest around sites like Samanar Hills, especially from students, researchers, and domestic tourists. While some signs and amenities were installed in the past, many have been vandalised or have weathered over time," the official said.
