Latest news with #TWAD
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
PMK president Anbumani urges Stalin to order probe into ‘wage scam' in drainage board
TIRUNELVELI: PMK president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss on Friday urged CM MK Stalin to order an inquiry into the allegation of Rs 90 cr loot committed every year by officials and contractors of Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD ) Board who pay only 40% to 50% wages to workers. The TNIE carried a detailed report about the issue on Friday. In a post on his 'X' handle, Anbumani said it was condemnable that no action has been taken against those responsible for the scam, which has been going on for over 20 years. 'There is no greater crime or sin in the world than embezzling wages meant for contract workers. The Tamil Nadu government must order a fair inquiry into this scam. Those behind it must be identified,' he demanded. The PMK leader said, 'A total of 11,597 workers, including electricians, pumping operators, and maintenance assistants, are employed on a contract basis in the TWAD Board. Their wages are paid to the contractors, who then disburse it to the workers. The accusation is that contractors, who receive a minimum wage of Rs 15,401 or more per worker, pay only Rs 7,500 to Rs 9,800 and embezzle the remaining amount.'
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- The Hindu
Thoothukudi collector reviews arrangements for Tiruchendur temple consecration ceremony
The consecration ceremony of Tiruchendur Subramanya Swamy temple is scheduled to take place on July 7. In view of this a preparatory meeting to discuss the necessary arrangements was held at Thoothukudi district collectorate, presided over by the District Collector K. Elambahavath. During the meeting the collector stated that the yagasalai puja related to consecration ceremony would begin on July 1 and on the day of consecration ceremony over 10-lakh people are expected to gather for the festival. He directed the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD) to ensure uninterrupted supply of at least five lakh litres of drinking water daily throughout the festival period. He emphasised the importance of providing safe drinking water, setting up temporary toilets and parking areas under the Tiruchendur Municipality. He insisted on evicting the stray dogs and cattle from the temple premises and the municipality was also directed to ensure regular garbage clearance throughout the town. Mr. Elambahavath directed the highway officials to expedite the repair of Tiruchendur-Thoothukudi road and internal roads in the Tiruchendur town. Additionally, drainage connections blockages should be cleared and uninterrupted power supply ensured. A medical team must be stationed within the temple premises with 24x7 ambulance service and emergency treatment facilities. The police department was instructed to ensure adequate security arrangements to prevent overcrowding and to regulate the movement of devotees for smooth darshan. The Vaikasi Visakam festival at Tiruchendur is scheduled for June 9. Since this event also draws lakhs of devotees, the District Collector advised the officials to make necessary arrangements to accommodate the visiting devotees during this festival as well.
New Indian Express
29-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Odour-free sewage pumping station coming up in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore
COIMBATORE: Residents living near Subramaniyampalayam can breathe easy - literally. Fears of foul smell from the upcoming sewage sub-pumping station in their neighbourhood have been firmly allayed by officials from the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board. The facility, they say, will be equipped with advanced Odour Control Devices (OCDs) to prevent any unpleasant emissions. The sub-pumping station, being built in collaboration with the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC), is part of a Rs 922.16-crore underground drainage (UGD) project aimed at improving sewage management in the Vadavalli, Veerakeralam, Kavundampalayam and Thudiyalur areas. Located in Ward 15 of the city's North Zone, the pumping station is a crucial link in the city's wastewater network. It will collect sewage from Thudiyalur, including areas like Cheran Colony and Thirumurugan Nagar, and route it to the master pumping station near the Tomato Market. From there, it will be conveyed to the sewage treatment plant (STP) at Kavundampalayam.
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
No water in sight for villagers as Vaigai plan halted in Tamil Nadu
MADURAI: Residents of several villages in Thiruparankundram taluk have voiced concerns over the prolonged delay in receiving water supply under the Combined Vaigai Water Scheme, implemented by the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board. Despite pipelines being laid more than a year ago along the Madurai-Thoothukudi National Highway, villagers claim there has been no visible progress. Speaking to TNIE, former Valayapatti Panchayat president V Bhakkiyam said, 'There are over 950 families in our panchayat and we rely solely on four borewells. The state government assured us that the TWAD scheme would resolve our water issues. Though the pipelines were laid last year near our village, no further actions have been taken by TWAD officials. It is disheartening. Echoing similar concerns, former Valayankulam Pachyat president P Muthupillai said, 'With more than 3,500 families, our village has always faced water scarcity. The TWAD project gave us hope by promising water from the Vaigai dam. Officials had assured us that supply would begin within a year. However, the pipelines have been lying idle for over a year now.'
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Surplus rain sends groundwater level up in Trichy
There is good news for Trichiites on the drinking water front. Despite soaring temperatures, groundwater levels are higher than last year in Trichy as well as most central districts, thanks to surplus unseasonal rains since March and a good monsoon last year. The surge is helping the region meet its drinking water requirements. In Trichy, the groundwater level was at 5 metre below ground level in April compared to 7.91 metre in the same month last year, indicating a difference of 2.83 metre. The level was also higher in Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Karur, Perambalur, and Ariyalur and lower than last year in Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Mayiladuthurai districts. "The occasional unseasonal rain has augmented groundwater tables for the past few months. Hence, the levels are higher than last year despite hot temperatures now," a senior official of the water resources department in Trichy said. According to officials at the regional meteorological centre of Indian Meteorological Department in Chennai, the surplus rainwater is replenishing underground acquifers. In Trichy, the state water resources department and Central Ground Water Board monitor groundwater levels at 142 observation wells every month. Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board observes the levels at 47 observation wells twice a year. Similarly, the levels in other districts are also observed. TWAD Board sources told TOI that they observed a rise in the height of the groundwater level from 20 metre in May 2024 to 13 metre in January 2025 after a good northeast monsoon. "The level is rising again after January due to unseasonal rains. The availability helps us (TWAD) and local bodies to supply drinking water as per requirements," a TWAD official said. The rainfall boost has not aided districts like Thanjavur and Pudukottai unlike other central districts like Trichy, Perambalur, and Ariyalur. The levels were lower than last year in those two districts. Darwin Annadurai, an environmental scientist and founder of Eco Society India, said, "Despite monsoon and unseasonal rains, groundwater levels may not be high as expected when the extraction is higher than recharge. When there is higher extraction for purposes such as drinking water, agriculture, and industries, or when there are environmental damages like excavation, the groundwater levels may not be high in comparison. " With Mettur dam scheduled to open on June 12 and Cauvery river water expected to arrive in the days that follow, officials and experts said the groundwater level will rise further due to recharge caused by river water percolation.
