Latest news with #SingaraChennai2.0
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Chennai Metrowater adds another sewage treatment plant to restore Villivakkam lake, supply recycled water
Chennai Metrowater will add one more sewage treatment plant with ultra filtration unit at Villivakkam by September. This would help rejuvenate Villivakkam lake and supply treated water for non-potable purposes through tankers. The upcoming Rs.17.90 crore plant would align with Chennai Metrowater's mission to shift towards the circular water economy where wastewater is recycled to minimise freshwater consumption. With a capacity to treat five million litres a day (mld) of sewage, a tertiary treatment plant using ultrafiltration (TTUF) is being established to maintain the standard of reclaimed water for potable use. Officials of the Metrowater recalled that the project was rolled out under Singara Chennai 2.0 as part of the restoration plan of the Villivakkam lake. This followed a directive of the National Green Tribunal. Nearly 75% of the work to construct a plant has been completed so far on a three-acre site near the lake. It would collect sewage from SIDCO Nagar pumping station, treat it and use a portion of treated water for gardening. The remaining recycled water would be disinfected by the ozonation process and discharged into Villivakkam lake. Residents of Villivakkam noted that it was a welcome initiative to restore the lake, which was heavily polluted. However, the project to rejuvenate the lake with recreational facilities is yet to be completed. a resident of Sannithi Street, Villivakkam, said the water agency must also improve the sewer infrastructure in SIDCO Nagar and streets like Kulakkarai Street to prevent sewage overflow. The water agency also plans to construct a filling point near the site to supply treated water for non-potable purposes, including construction, laundry and automative washing, through lorries. Listing out advantages of membrane bioreactor technology in the upcoming STP, J.R. Moses, Chief Executive Officer, Hubert Enviro Care Systems, which is implementing the project, said it had more advantages over conventional systems as it delivered better wastewater quality suitable for direct reuse and produced less sludge. This compact technology boasts a reduced footprint, making it ideal for urban areas with limited space. It can be highly automated, simplifying operations and maintenance, he said. The water agency looks to construct more such plants to recharge water bodies and increase the source for domestic supply. There are plans to step up the treatment capacity to 10 mld at Villivakkam in the next phase.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Victoria hall to be opened to public on Aug 15, three-month-long expo planned
Chennai: After a prolonged restoration delay, colonial-era landmark Victoria Public Hall is set to reopen its doors to the public on Aug 15. The project, undertaken under the Singara Chennai 2.0 initiative at 32.62 crore, is set to bring the historic Town Hall back to life — this time, as a vibrant cultural hub blending heritage with modern utility. "Nearly 99% of the work has been completed. The hall will be inaugurated by chief minister M K Stalin next month. Exhibitions and other events will soon be conducted in the hall," said minister K N Nehru. As part of the inauguration, a three-month-long exhibition will be held on the premises. Photo exhibitions tracing the history of Tamil civilization and Chennai's place in it will be part of the programme. It will also outline the social revolutions that the city bore witness to. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "Galleries on the evolution of cinema and sports in Chennai will also be featured. Events will be held in the auditorium on the first floor, while the food and art festival will take place on the lawn. We will turn the place into a vibrant hub for families and tourists. A consultant is already working on the programmes," said a senior GCC official. J Kumaragurubaran, GCC commissioner, said the interior works have been completed. "Work on the lawn and greenery is underway. We have tied up with the tourism department to include Victoria Hall in the city attractions. The public can also book halls for programmes after the inauguration," he said. The Victoria Public Hall, commonly known as town hall, was built to commemorate the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria. Designed by Robert Chisholm (1840-1915) and built by Namberumal Chetty, it adopts the Indo-Saracenic architectural style. The DMK govt had announced a 32.62-crore plan under Singara Chennai 2.0 to revitalize the hall. Work started in March 2023. Though it was slated to be completed mid this year, it was delayed. "We had to carry out stormwater drain work. Procuring Damask silk cloth for the interiors and covering acoustics, was a challenge as we did not get the required quantity. Rain also played spoilsport," said Krishna Iyer, director of Abha Narain Lambah Associates. As part of the restoration, the building was strengthened with a seismic retrofit so as to withstand earthquakes and enhance its capacity to hold more visitors. "The wooden stairs have been fixed, and plaster work completed. The structural work on the roof, work on the main hall, restoration of the external brickwork, doors, and windows have also been completed," said Krishna Iyer.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Link between Chembarambakkam pipeline and city's water distribution network to be completed soon
The work to interconnect the pipeline from the Chembarambakkam water treatment plant to the city's water distribution network will be completed in a few days. Residents will get improved water supply from August. Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru inspected the operation of the treatment plant and the ongoing ₹66.78-crore pipeline work on Friday. The pipeline will travel for 11.7 km from Chembarambakkam to Porur and will be interconnected with a network to Tambaram. The second portion of the pipeline will be 9.2 km long and travel from the Poonamallee Bypass Road junction to Koyambedu. Once the trial run is completed in a fortnight, the water supply from Chembarambakkam will be increased from 265 million litres a day (mld) to 530 mld. Residents of various localities, including Anna Nagar, Ambattur, Valasaravakkam, Kodambakkam, Teynampet, Adyar, Tambaram, Kundrathur, and Sriperumbudur, will get improved water supply, a press release said. Mr. Nehru, who also inspected the Minjur desalination plant, instructed officials to prepare a detailed project report to revamp the facility. Chennai's first desalination plant in Kattupalli was established in 2010. However, it became dysfunctional owing to internal issues, including labour unrest and contract termination. The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board will take measures to assess the condition of the plant and increase production to 100 mld. Mr. Nehru also instructed officials to explore the possibility of providing water supply to neighbouring villages. Minister for Minorities Welfare S.M. Nasar and Poonamallee MLA A. Krishnaswamy were among those present. According to a press release, Mr. Nehru on Friday inaugurated a street renamed 'Bishop Ezra Sargunam Road' in ward 100 of Kilpauk. The road where Bishop Ezra Sargunam, the first national leader of the Evangelical Church of India, lived has been renamed in his honour. Mr. Nehru also inspected the construction of the 1,200-m flyover on South Usman Road, being built at a cost o ₹164.92 crore under the Infrastructure and Amenities Fund. He reviewed the gig workers' rest lounge on Prakasam Road, built at a cost of ₹25 lakh. He later inspected the ₹32.62-crore restoration works at Victoria Public Hall being carried out under the Singara Chennai 2.0 project.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Municipal Administration Minister inspects various projects in Chennai
Minister for Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) K.N. Nehru on Friday inaugurated a newly-named road in Kilpauk and inspected the construction of a flyover in T. Nagar, a gig workers' facility, and the progress of restoration work at Victoria Public Hall. According to a press release, a road in Kilpauk, in ward 100, was renamed 'Bishop Ezra Sargunam Road', where the Evangelical Church of India's first national leader had lived. Mr. Nehru inspected the construction of the 1,200-m flyover on South Usman Road, being built at a cost o ₹164.92 crore under the Infrastructure and Amenities Fund. Mr. Nehru also reviewed the gig workers' rest lounge on Prakasam Road, built at a cost of ₹25 lakh. The lounge includes seating, toilets, charging points, drinking water, and surveillance systems. He later inspected the ₹32.62-crore restoration works at Victoria Public Hall being carried out under the Singara Chennai 2.0 project.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Miyawaki forest trail along B Canal locked & littered
Chennai: A two-km urban Miyawaki forest trail along the South Buckingham Canal once envisioned as a green public space for walking and play, now lies locked, neglected, and misused. Built under the Singara Chennai 2.0 initiative in 2021, the stretch between Kasturba Nagar and Thiruvanmiyur MRTS has turned into a hangout spot for loiterers, say residents, while its walkways are strewn with dry leaves, plastic waste, and broken signboards. The trail was made for residents to keep themselves healthy, and also to create a public gathering space for kids to play. The trail, created by Rotaract Club, Communi-Tree, an urban greenery conservation NGO, and the Greater Chennai Corporation, had signboards of different kinds of trees and shrubs. J Sridhar from Rotaract Club, who initiated the project, said 7,000 saplings were planted in the park that was built at a cost of 12 lakh. The park was handed over to GCC after three years of maintaining it, he said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai CommuniTree founder Hafiz Khan said the trail was in good shape for the most part and the NGO's project manager, Jonathan Isaac, said the trail will be cleaned and opened soon. Residents and passersby complain of the stench. Many were not even aware of the trail. Sneha R of Adyar, who used to go with her 10-year-old son, said, "The trees are not pruned. I wouldn't recommend anyone to use it." GCC regional deputy commissioner (South) Aftab Rasool said he would look into it.
