New project to have inland waterways, says technical consultant
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The final technical feasibility report on environmental restoration of Cooum river and river front development will be submitted by October 2013.
Speaking to Express on the sidelines of public consultation over the project on Thursday, Sandeep Jain, director of LKS India, which is the technical consultant of the project, said that the project is to make Cooum basin people friendly besides beautifying and restoring it on sustainable basis.
He said the rough estimated cost of river front development that would have cycle tracks and parks would be roughly around Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 3,500 crore. “This could also double over the years,” he said.
Interestingly, unlike the Chennai City River Conservation Project undertaken in 1996 and the May 2006 eco-restoration of the river by the regime that tried to beautify Cooum without focusing on plugging the outfalls, the project would first try to identify the outfalls before plugging them, said Jain.
He said the main thrust would include to stop the untreated sewage into the Cooum after which the work will start to improve the eco-system. Interestingly, the project is also focusing on inland waterways. “Water transport is also part of the project. We do have all the technology to clean-up and develop it as waterways,” he added.
To a query on how will the waterways come up when the elevated road linking Chennai Port to Maduravoyal is coming up on the Cooum, Jain said that they have alternate plan if the elevated road gets clearance from the government.
On how many people will be relocated to other places, he said the public sentiments will be considered and we will try for insitu development. “Even if there is a need to resettle them, we will ensure that their concerns are taken into account,” he added.
“After all we are developing the project for the people and their concerns should be taken into account,” he added. Interstingly, plans are also there to restore other water bodies of the city. These include designs providing walkway, recreation space etc generating activities and ensuring community interest thus preventing its misuse.
Sources said Chetpet, Egmore River front and Pallikarannai marsh has immediate potential for developing as public spaces with good designs integrating urban elements.
C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The final technical feasibility report on environmental restoration of Cooum river and river front development will be submitted by October 2013.
Speaking to Express on the sidelines of public consultation over the project on Thursday, Sandeep Jain, director of LKS India, which is the technical consultant of the project, said that the project is to make Cooum basin people friendly besides beautifying and restoring it on sustainable basis.
He said the rough estimated cost of river front development that would have cycle tracks and parks would be roughly around Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 3,500 crore. “This could also double over the years,” he said.
Interestingly, unlike the Chennai City River Conservation Project undertaken in 1996 and the May 2006 eco-restoration of the river by the regime that tried to beautify Cooum without focusing on plugging the outfalls, the project would first try to identify the outfalls before plugging them, said Jain.
He said the main thrust would include to stop the untreated sewage into the Cooum after which the work will start to improve the eco-system. Interestingly, the project is also focusing on inland waterways. “Water transport is also part of the project. We do have all the technology to clean-up and develop it as waterways,” he added.
To a query on how will the waterways come up when the elevated road linking Chennai Port to Maduravoyal is coming up on the Cooum, Jain said that they have alternate plan if the elevated road gets clearance from the government.
On how many people will be relocated to other places, he said the public sentiments will be considered and we will try for insitu development. “Even if there is a need to resettle them, we will ensure that their concerns are taken into account,” he added.
“After all we are developing the project for the people and their concerns should be taken into account,” he added. Interstingly, plans are also there to restore other water bodies of the city. These include designs providing walkway, recreation space etc generating activities and ensuring community interest thus preventing its misuse.
Sources said Chetpet, Egmore River front and Pallikarannai marsh has immediate potential for developing as public spaces with good designs integrating urban elements.
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