Latest news with #T.Sadagopan
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
WRD removes a portion of encroached structures in Kovilpadagai lake that's earmarked to be developed as drinking water source
In line with its efforts to rejuvenate urban water bodies, the Water Resources Department has started clearing encroachments in Kovilpadagai lake near Avadi. It is one of the key water bodies in city fringes that has been earmarked to be developed as a drinking water source particularly for Avadi. The department cleared nearly 16 encroached structures and 15 other sites that were fenced in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar and Brindavan Nagar. Officials of the WRD noted that the structures that had freshly encroached the lake area were razed down during the drive carried out with the Revenue department officials. Land measuring nearly 25,000 that belonged to the lake was retrieved during the drive, said officials. The lake has more encroached structures to be cleared. Spread over 415 acre, the Kovilpadagai lake has a larger storage capacity than Retteri, a lake in western part of the city that is being spruced up as a drinking water source for Chennai. Officials of the WRD said the water body near Avadi has a capacity to hold storage of nearly 80.52 million cubic feet of water. The department proposes to deepen the lake's surplus course to link excess water to Red Hills reservoir through a Rs.38.30 lakh project. The inadequate carrying capacity of the surplus course posed a flood threat to 15 residential localities, including Platinum Avenue, Ramakrishna Nagar and Trinity Avenue. Once the project is completed, the areas may have a respite from recurring floods. The lake, which used to be irrigation source for about 500 acre of land, may be filled twice a year, officials said. Residents noted that it was imperative to rejuvenate long –neglected water bodies in city fringes to replenish groundwater and reduce urban floods. a resident of Pattabiram, said many other lakes, including Ayapakkam and Tiruninravur were awaiting restoration. Avadi is still waiting for piped water supply. The State government must create a special fund to restore lakes as drinking water sources. Avadi Municipal Corporation Mayor G. Udayakumar said a Rs. 40 crore project to convert Kovilpadagai lake into a drinking water source for Avadi has been submitted to Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited. A water treatment plant would also be constructed apart from measures to arrest sewage. Tenders would be called for soon.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
T.N. government approves CMRL's Koyambedu-Pattabiram corridor
In a significant development, the Tamil Nadu government has accorded in-principle approval to Chennai Metro Rail's Koyambedu-Avadi-Pattabiram project. The State governmenthasapproved thedetailed project report (DPR)andrecommended it to the Centrefor its nod and for'funding on equity sharing basis and for availing loanassistance from bilateral/multilateral funding agencies'. The report will be sent to the Centre in a couple of days, sources said. The corridor, estimated to cost Rs. 9,928.33crore, starts at the existing Koyambedu Metro Rail station, and the network runs for a distance of 21.76 km till Pattabiram. The Chennai Metro Rail has proposed stations at 19 locations, including Padi Pudhu Nagar, Park Road, Golden Flat Junction, Vavin, Ambattur Estate, Ambattur Telephone Exchange, Dunlop, Ambattur Station, Ambattur OT, Stedford Hospital, Thirumullaivoyal, Vaishnavi Nagar, Murugappa Polytechnic, Avadi Railway Station, Kasturba Nagar, Hindu College, Pattabiram and Outer Ring three locations, the corridor will become a double-decker, with elevated road (of the Highways department) in the first level and the Metro in the second. '112 acres needed' According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), they will need nearly 112 acres for this project to build the stations, viaduct and depot. 'This will be entirely elevated like the Airport-Kilambakkam corridor and we hope to complete the construction in three years from the award of the contract. We plan to operate three-coach trains in the Koyambedu-Pattabiram stretch and this will be able to handle the proposed passenger traffic based on our study,' an official said. CMRL submitted the DPR to the State government in February this year. Hundreds of residents and people who commute to areas such as Avadi, Thirunindravur, Ambattur, Pattabiram and Mogappair are keen to travel by Metro as it willcut down their travel time drastically. 'Will cut travel time' T. Sadagopan, a resident of Pattabiram, said he is thrilled that the DPR has finally been approved by the State government. 'For a long time now, people residing along this corridor have been eager to see it take off. Metro Rail will change the way we travel and our commute will be so much better, faster and convenient. Whether to travel to Chennai airport or Chennai Central, it takes at least an hour and a half from Pattabiram now by bus. This time will come down by half if we have Metro Rail connectivity,' he said. 'Also, when the phase II network is ready, most of the central, north and southern areas will be covered, hence, with this connectivity, we can travel across the city. But it is important that the Centre approve the project and provide funding so that at least within the next five years, the corridor will be ready,' he added.
