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The Hindu
a day ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Faecal coliform in Puducherry's Thengaithittu, Kuruchikuppam beaches exceeds safe limits
Levels of faecal coliform at Thengaithittu, Kuruchikuppam and Kalapet beaches in Puducherry have been found to be 10 times more than the prescribed safe limit, according to the Annual Environment Survey report 2024, released by the Department of Science, Technology and Environment (DSTE). The Puducherry Pollution Control Committee (PPCC) said the water samples collected from Thengaithittu beach, Kuruchikuppam beach and Kalapet beach in January, July and October 2024 showed high levels of faecal coliform at 1600 MPN/100 ml, which is far exceeding the permissible limit of 100 MPN/100 ml. MPN is Most Probable Number, an estimation used to measure microorganisms in water. Kuruchikuppam beach recorded the highest level of faecal coliform at 1600 MPN/100 ml in January, followed by Thengaithittu beach and Kalapet beach with levels of 800 MPN/100 ml during the same period. PPCC said the water level in three beaches did not comply with the Central norms of Class SW-II water - 100 MPN/100 ml (for bathing, water sports and commercial fishing). PPCC attributed the high levels of contamination due to release of untreated sewage into the beaches. According to N. Ramesh, Member Secretary of PPCC, 'Four Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with varying capacities will soon be installed to improve the water quality and bring down the levels of faecal coliform. The establishment of 15 MLD STP at Dubrayapet and 11 MLD STP at Karaikal is nearing completion. The PPCC has also readied an action plan for restoration of polluted river stretches in Puducherry and Karaikal while a 3 MLD STP with Faecal Sludge Treatment plant has been planned near the Sankaraparani river in Puducherry. The Biological Oxygen Demand at Chunnambar stood at 9.4 mg/litre, 7.2 mg/litre in Kanagan lake and 8.8 mg/litre in Arasalar lake as against the standard 3 mg/litre. PPCC said the primary reason for contamination is the unchecked flow of untreated sewage from residential areas, which continued to affect the waterbodies.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Amid talk of differences over Congress inductions, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring says no internal differences
Chandigarh: Putting to rest speculation about unrest over the party revoking the suspension of Phillaur MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Tuesday said there were no internal differences, and everyone was welcome in the party. Dismissing reports of discord within party ranks over the entry of leaders from other parties, Warring said there was no dissent. "Every party aims to expand its base and strengthen itself. The more people who join, the better it is," he said, responding to the recent inductions. On the upcoming Ludhiana West byelection, the PPCC president claimed that the Congress was ahead of rivals and expressed confidence that the party would win by a record margin. Warring reiterated his opposition to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt's land pooling policy, warning it would lead to the destruction of Punjab's agrarian economy. Interacting with media after a meeting of constituency coordinators at the PPCC headquarters in Chandigarh, Warring said the policy was aimed merely at collecting money. He warned against acquiring 24,000 acres of agricultural land saying that it would destabilise the state's agricultural economy and, by extension, affect every section of society. "Punjab's entire economy—trade and industry—depends on agriculture. When you undermine the base, the entire economic edifice collapses," he said. He also criticised the govt for not taking stakeholders into confidence. He questioned the very need for such a policy when there was no apparent demand for additional residential or industrial plots. "When there is already an abundance of residential plots, where is the need to create more?" he asked. Responding to remarks by BJP state president Sunil Jakhar and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, Warring quipped: "The two of them are enough to sink the BJP's boat, just as they sank the Congress boat a few years ago." Commenting on a village reportedly putting itself up for sale due to the govt's failure to curb drug peddling, Warring remarked: "There can be no bigger slap on the face of the Punjab govt—and no greater proof of defeat in the so-called 'Yudh'—than an entire village putting itself up for sale while drug peddlers are having a field day."
