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Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Coimbatore corporation's plan to expand Vellalore ABC centre comes under a cloud
Coimbatore: AIADMK councillors, animal activists, rescuers, veterinarians, and NGOs have raised objections to the city corporation's allotment of 3 crore to improve and expand infrastructure at its animal birth control (ABC) centre at Vellalore. They have demanded that the estimate be scrutinized by experts. In its council meeting on July 31, the corporation passed a resolution allocating 1.99 crore for the construction of four new kennel bays at the ABC at Vellalore. Additionally, an estimate of 96.3 lakh was also allocated for establishing four operation theatres for stray dog sterilisation at the same centre. Another resolution was passed to allocate 71.5 lakh, with 50% contribution from the Operation and Maintenance Deficit Grants Funds 2025-26, for development work at the Vellalore ABC centre. "It is an open scam and it's high time the corporation holds itself accountable for misusing public money," AIADMK councillor (ward 47) R Prabhakaran said. A volunteer of an NGO associated with the corporation said to date, even basic facilities haven't been provided at the ABC centres run by the civic body. He said, "Even providing a fan is considered a luxury for NGOs. If they accommodate 20 dogs per kennel and plan to have four such kennels, the estimate is too high." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo A city-based animal rescuer emphasized that the estimate should be revised. "While there are many loopholes in the accountability of the sterilisation process itself, allocating huge funds for one centre is suspicious. They would just install ordinary tiles, build a compound wall with high fencing, and provide water facilities. Moreover, it won't generate any revenue but only expenses. It's doubtful whether the civic body is genuinely ready to spend on the service. " "It would hardly cost more than 20 lakh per kennel for a 5,000 sq ft area with sophisticated infrastructure like air conditioning," said a private animal breeder who owns a kennel on the city outskirts. Prabhakaran said, "The corporation is not setting up a multispecialty hospital but a facility for stray animals that will be released after 3-5 days. It could rather invest such a huge amount in road patch work, which is the need of the hour." Denying these allegations, corporation commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran said, "The corporation plans to construct a huge animal birth control centre at Vellalore with a capacity of 750 stray dogs. We are planning to increase the number of sterilizations. The accusations are baseless, "he said.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Poor upkeep takes sheen off revamped lakes in Coimbatore
Coimbatore: Developed under the smart city mission at a cost of Rs350 crore in 2023, Ukkadam Periyakulam, Selva Chinthamani Kulam, Kurichi Kulam, Valankulam, Krishnampathy, Selvampathy and Kumarasamy tank now cut a sorry figure in the absence of proper maintenance. These water bodies were developed into recreational spots since the city lacked enough avenues for its folk to unwind with their families, despite objections from environmentalists and NGOs. While the work to revamp these water bodies with play areas, seating facilities, walking paths, toilets and other infrastructure began in 2018, the same was completed only in 2023. The makeover was appreciated by the city folk, who started flocking to these water bodies in large numbers to spend some light moments with their friends and family. However, the footfall has reduced drastically with the overall cleanliness taking a back seat in the absence of proper maintenance. Most of the facilities developed under the smart city mission are also in a bad condition. This is despite the city corporation outsourcing the operation and maintenance of all the seven water bodies to a private player in 2024. R Prabhakaran, AIADMK councillor from ward 47, said the paver blocks on the walking track at Valankulam were completely damaged. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "One would now regret taking family to these water bodies. Such is their condition. Seating facilities and designated viewing areas with seating are also completely damaged. At Ukkadam Periyakulam, play and gym equipment are either rusted or broken. Arif Ali, who accompanied his family to Periyakulam, said it was a pile of waste that welcomed them to the area. "Waste is dumped along the banks of the lake. The corporation should clear it, especially the hyacinths removed from both gates. The stench is unbearable. The men's toilet is inaccessible and in a poor condition." Activists, including K Manikandan of Kovai Kulangal Pathukappu Amaippu and Deepam Saminathan, president of Kurichi Kulam Pathukappu Iyakkam, have expressed concerns over the maintenance of Kurichi Lake. "The lake has become a hub of anti-social elements. Empty liquor bottles, cigarette butts and packets of banned tobacco products are often found on its premises. While there is a fence, anti-social elements manage to enter the premises at night. This issue should be addressed, while ensuring proper upkeep of the lake," they said. When contacted, city corporation commissioner M Sivaguru Prabhakaran said they had issued a termination letter to the operation and maintenance contractor for poor upkeep of the water bodies and its failure to generate revenue. "It should have generated at least Rs1 crore from all the lakes. If so, the maintenance aspect could have been better. We issued the termination letter about 50 days ago. The contractor moved the high court, which directed us to grant some more time, which will end this June. Thereafter, we will tie up with a consultancy to create an individual revenue model and go for separate operation and maintenance contracts for each lake."
