writingonblog uncensored: Metro Water banks on reuse of grey water to quench...

writingonblog uncensored: Metro Water banks on reuse of grey water to quench...: C Shivakumar Chennai: As North Chennai is set to witness a massive industrialization after Union Ministry of Environment and Forests li...

Metro Water banks on reuse of grey water to quench thirst of North Chennai industries

C Shivakumar
Chennai:

As North Chennai is set to witness a massive industrialization after
Union Ministry of Environment and Forests lifted the ban on new
industries in Manali, Chennai Metro Water is now banking on Singapore
model of reuse of treated waste water to fulfill the need of
industries.

A Senior Metro Water official told Express that the proposal to have
45 MLD capacity of TTRO plant in seven acres of land will provide
supply to 34 industries besides fetching a revenue of Rs 74 crore to
Metro Water per annum.

Currently, 36 MLD of secondary treated effluent is supplied to
industries through which revenue of Rs 15 crore per annum is
generated.

The project is expected to save fresh water from rain fed lakes from
where industrial hubs are presently receiving water so as to enable
metro water to augment city water supply by equivalent quantity.

“We are planning to invite tenders during September 2014 and it is
planned to get it done in two years from the date of work order,” the
official said.

The official said that water intensive industries are shaping up in
Manali-Ennore and Manali-Minjur corridors. These include TIDCO
initiative for promoting a joint venture with Indo-Rama Synthetics for
a new petrochemical project and a plastic industrial estate for a
forward integration initiative besides LNG Terminal at Ennore Port and
brown field refinery by CPCL.

Interestingly, Chennai Metro Water had conducted a survey through
ITCOT Consultancy on industries on anticipated demand of water in
Manali-Ennore Corridor and Manali-Minjur Corridor. The survey revealed
that by 2015, a total of 30 MLD of water is required which could more
than double to 70 MLD by 2020. Currently, most of the industries in
these corridors do not have independent source of water and are
dependent on Metro Water for supplying of surface or treated water.

“Once the project is completed, we will be supplying TTRO water of
good quality. The quality of water matches with the potable water
quality with turbidity less than 5, hardness less than 100 mg per
litres and TDS less than 70 mg per litre and zero iron level, the
official stated.

Interestingly, the initiative has been a success in Singapore. Termed
as NEWater or reclaimed water, it is produced from treated used water
which is further purified using advance membrane technologies abd
ultraviolet disinfection making it clean and safe to drink.

How does the tech work:

1.  Pre-treatment: The first stage consists of removal or reduction of
suspended particulate matters and removal of impurities which are
harmful for reverse osmosis system.

2.  Ultra filtration: The second stage will remove residual micro
impurities which are still slipping through previous filtration
stages.

3.  RO: It separates molecular impurities from water thus making one
stream rich in salt molecules and other stream lean in salts thus
reducing TDS of water.



Benefits of TTRO plant:

1.  Supplies industrial grade water to industrial hubs to ensure
sustainable supply and superior quality of water.

2.  Realise revenues from the waste water to meet expenditure towards
treatment of waste water

3.  Frees up potable water for domestic consumption

writingonblog uncensored: TN’s upcoming projects to wait till Oct as Centre ...

writingonblog uncensored: TN’s upcoming projects to wait till Oct as Centre ...: C Shivakumar Chennai: The new projects and schemes enunciated by the Tamil Nadu government is likely to take few more months to get Cen...

TN’s upcoming projects to wait till Oct as Centre frames new guidelines for national urban renewal mission

C Shivakumar
Chennai:

The new projects and schemes enunciated by the Tamil Nadu government
is likely to take few more months to get Centre’s clearance as the
Union government is planning to replace UPA government’s Jawaharlal
Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) with a new flagship
programme.

Official sources told Express that projects under Urban Development
Ministry may take time as the Centre is planning to frame new
guidelines under National Urban Renewal Mission.

The projects that could take time to be implemented include drinking
water, transportation, housing as well as sewerage schemes.

Sources said that Union government officials are now busy framing the
new guidelines which will be put in place as early as October
following which the schemes would be cleared.

Interestingly, many departments like Tamil Nadu Housing Board as well
as Municipal Administration and Water Supply department are now
working to get the projects in place so that they could be the first
to get the sanction once the new scheme is in place.

Interestingly, schemes under Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) has already
undergone change and has been termed as ‘Housing for All’. The project
is expected to undergo further changes. Sources said plans are on
anvil to get at least 124 projects ready before October for Union
government sanction. Officials believe that both Centre and State have
cordial ties and this could pave way for getting clearances faster for
the projects.

Interestingly, Most of the JNNURM projects nationwide faced roadblocks
due to delay in land acquisition, public agitation, change of site,
encroachments, inability to obtain statutory clearances from defence,
railway and environment and forest ministries, besides court cases. It
is believed that out of 1,339 projects sanctioned in the seven-year
period since JNNURM came into being, only 50 per cent got completed.

writingonblog uncensored: SCV Licence Killed, 1.5L Clients in Fix

writingonblog uncensored: SCV Licence Killed, 1.5L Clients in Fix: MHA refuses to give security clearance forcing I&B ministry to cancel registration C Shivakumar Chennai: The 14 year monopoly of Ka...

SCV Licence Killed, 1.5L Clients in Fix

MHA refuses to give security clearance forcing I&B ministry to cancel registration
C Shivakumar
Chennai:

The 14 year monopoly of Kal Cables is likely to end in the cable
industry after Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
cancelled registration of Kal Cables to operate as multi system
operator (MSO) to provide cable television network services with
digital addressable system.

The Union Ministry which cancelled the registration following the
denial of security clearance by Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered
a 15 days notice from the date of the cancellation order to wind up
their operations and switch off the signals in a communication dated
August 20, 2014.

The decision has resulted in mixed reaction with many welcoming the
decision. P Shakilan, founder Tamilaga Cable TV Operators General
Welfare Association (TCOA) told Express that the decision is welcomed
by the industry. “They had total monopoly. This will also boost the
fortunes of independent cable operators. Sun group through political
interference controlled the media. But now things will improve,” said
Shakilan.

More than 1.5 lakh set top box owners in the city would be affected
following cancellation of registration of Kal Cables to operate as
multi system operator (MSO).

A leading cable operator in the city who is providing SCV connection
through set top boxes to more than 1,000 customers feels this order
will have a huge impact on the cable scenario in Chennai.

Currently, SCV controls more than 50 per cent of business in Chennai
and is followed by TCCL, Akshaya, Aadhar, Crystal and state owned
Arasu cable network.

The information and broadcasting ministry may have passed the order
but who will refund the set-top box owners who have coughed up Rs
1,500 for a box.

“Currently, SCV has 1.5 lakh subscribers and the cost would be a huge
one which the consumer has to pay,” the cable operator said on
anonymity.

But Shakilan says that TCCL which has around 600 cable operators would
be ready to provide the set top boxes to SCV consumers who have been
affected by the Information and Broadcasting order. He also
highlighted how the high-handedness of SCV has forced cable operators
to break rank with SCV and form TCCL.

Meanwhile, SCV Cable operators said that they have been assured by Kal
Cables that a legal remedy would be in place to counter such a move by
the government.

Rains reverse trend of depleting water levels in reservoirs

Chennai:

The rains have brought some cheer to water managers as the trend of
depleting water levels have been reversed with inflow of Krishna Water
from Kandeleru reservoir as well as heavy rains on Sunday night.

A water resources department official said that a total of 1,735
cusecs of additional water received on Sunday. The reservoirs to
benefit most were Poondi, Red Hills and Chembarambakkam.

A WRD official said that catchment area in Poondi received 35mm of
rainfall which resulted in an inflow of 934 cusecs. This also included
Krishna Water inflow from the Kandaleru Dam.

The official also said that Chembarambakkam reservoir received huge
amount of inflow as it received 25mm of rainfall. He said the inflow
was nearly 200 cusecs.

Similarly, Veeranam (275 cusecs) and Red Hills (380 cusecs) received
additional inflows. However, Sholavaram did not have any added inflow.
“The catchment area in Sholavaram received only 10mm of rainfall,” he
said.

A senior Chennai Metro Water official told Express that the inflow
into the reservoirs supplying water to city has brought in some
respite. However, he said it is too early to comment on whether the
pattern of distribution in supply would undergo any change.

Currently, Chennai Metro Water is providing only 587 mld of piped
water which is nearly half the demand of the city due to failure of
monsson in the last two consecutive years.

Interestingly, Metro Water is keeping its finger crossed and looking
up to the skies for a wet year. “If we have atleast 4tmc feet to 5 tmc
feet of water then we could think of changing the pattern of water
distribution,” the official said.

Interestingly, the rains as well as Krishna Water besides the
contingency plan of Chennai Metro Water has helped the water levels to
improve from that of last year. Last year the total water in Poondi,
Cholavaram, Red Hills and Chembarambakkam was 1281 million cubic feet.
The current levels are 2,052 in the four reservoirs.

Metro water was supplying 831 mld of water a day to qunch the city’s
thirst. With the addition of new areas and new water connections,
Metro water now has to supply an estimated 1100 mld of water.

Reservoir                      Full capacity                 Storage
(now)    Inflows         Storage (last year

Poondi                         3231 mcft                         556
mcft          934 cusecs            315 mcft

Cholavaram                   881 mcft
------------------------------

-----------------------------

Red Hills                      3300 mcft                        802
mcft                     380 cusecs          477 mcft

Chembarambakkam     3645 mcft                       682 mcft
            146 cusecs         479 mcft

Total                     11057 mcft             2,052 mcft
1450 cusecs    1281mcft

As per data received from Water Resources Department. (Veeranam levels
not included)

writingonblog uncensored: Frequent T-Nagar Fires Expose Tardy Preparedness

writingonblog uncensored: Frequent T-Nagar Fires Expose Tardy Preparedness: Chennai: CHENNAI: Of the three incidents of fire that broke out in Chennai last night, it is the blaze at T Nagar that has once again spa...

Frequent T-Nagar Fires Expose Tardy Preparedness

Chennai:

CHENNAI: Of the three incidents of fire that broke out in Chennai last night, it is the blaze at T Nagar that has once again sparked serious concern over basic fire safety preparedness at the retail commercial hub of the city.

Lying in the heart of the city’s central business district, T Nagar is a bustling area frequented by thousands every day, where even a minor accident could prove fatal. Though there was no casualty in the latest incident in the early hours of Friday, it has left the local residents anxious, prompting them to consider moving HC, seeking fire service audit of all the buildings in T Nagar.

R Mohan, treasurer of T Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, told
Express that despite a Fire Safety Inspection Report highlighting
violations by most of the commercial establishments, neither the
Chennai Corporation nor Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is
taking any action.

“Had the incident happened during the evening then the situation would
have been different with fire service unable to reach the spot,” he
said.

“We are going to move a petition but it is not against CMDA or Chennai
Corporation but for the need to carry out a fire service audit of all
the buildings,” Mohan said.

Interestingly, fire and rescue department had sent a detailed report
to both the Chennai Corporation and Chennai Metropolitan Development
Authority, indicating the deficiencies in fire safety in commercial
buildings on Usman Road and Ranganthan Street in T Nagar and
requesting them to take action against the violators.

The report identified more than 100 commercial establishments in Usman
Road and Ranganathan Street are unsafe and don’t follow fire safety
norms.

The fire incident at T Nagar also comes in the wake of a High Court
directing Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and Chennai
Corporation to inspect every building in Sowcarpet within three months
highlighting the compoundable and non-compoundable deviations.

The association stated that it had also petitioned the CM’s cell. “The
commercial buildings dump the fire safety norms to the back burner.
But the fact is that these buildings are literally playing with the
fire, the precious lives of the shoppers, their own employees, the
neighbourhood residents and the general public,” the association said.

Corporation and CMDA officials could not be reached for their reactions.

writingonblog uncensored: Will Chennai Metro Rail meet the October-end deadl...

writingonblog uncensored: Will Chennai Metro Rail meet the October-end deadl...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Even as Chennai  Metro   Rail  is racing ahead to meet the October deadline of the first commercial run from Koy...

Will Chennai Metro Rail meet the October-end deadline?

C Shivakumar
Chennai:

Even as Chennai Metro Rail is racing ahead to meet the October
deadline of the first commercial run from Koyambedu to Alandur, it is
highly unlikely that the seven stations in the stretch would be ready
before October end.

While officials are maintaining the October deadline, but metro rail
workers confide that the deadline is likely to be stretched further.
“It could be here and there or may be stretched further but we expect
it to be over by the end of the year,” a metro rail source said.

The biggest issue bothering the metro rail officials is the pending
work on all the seven metro rail stations. While work is progressing
at a faster pace, it is unlikely that the work would be completed
before October end.

While work in CMBT is nearing completion with minor electrical as well
as commissioning and testing of lifts and escalators is in progress,
some interior work like flooring, plastering, painting and false
ceiling is still pending.

In Vadapalani, the structural work is still in progress. Work has yet
to start on erecting lift and escalators. In Ekkatuthangal, the work
on erecting lift as well as escalators is in progress. Interestingly,
the structural works in all other stations except Vadapalani has been
completed.

Work was hit in the stations due to delayed work by Consolidated
Construction Consortium, whose contract was terminated.  A new
contract was drafted and work was awarded to four firms --
Tiruchitambalam Projects Limited (TPL), Saraswati Construction
Company, Nagarjuna Construction Company and URC Constructions.

Factfile on stations:

Koyambedu

Contractor: Tiruchitambalam Projects Limited

Works completed: Structural work, indoor and outdoor installation of
signals , telecommunications, roof truss erection

In progress: Flooring, plastering, painting and false ceiling;
electrical works; testing and commissioning of lifts and escalators

Yet to Start: roof sheeting work

CMBT:

Contractor: Tiruchitambalam Projects Limited

Works completed: Structural works; erection of lift and escalator
completed; indoor and outdoor installation of signals;
telecommunication equipment installation; roofworks

In progress: Interior works like flooring, plastering, painting and
false ceiling, testing and commissioning of lifts and escalators;
electrical works.

Arumbakkam

Contractor: Tiruchitambalam Projects Limited

Works completed: Structural works; roof works; Indoor and outdoor
installation of signals

In progress: Interior works like flooring, plastering and false
ceiling; testing and commissioning of lifts and escalators; electrical
works; telecommunication works

Vadapalani

Contractor: URC Constructions

Works completed:  Roof truss erection

In progress: Structural works; electrical works; Telecommunication
works; indoor signalling

Works yet to be started: Lifts and escalators; Roof sheeting work;
outdoor signalling

 Ashok Nagar

Contractor: Saraswathi Construction Company

Works completed: Structural works; installation of indoor and outdoor signals

In progress: Interior works like flooring, plastering and painting;
Testing and commissioning of lifts and escalators; telecommunication
works

Yet to be started: roof sheeting work

Ekkatuthangal

Contractor: Nagarjuna Construction Company

Works Completed: Structural works

In progress: Interior works like flooring, plastering, painting and
wall tile; erection of lifts and escalators; Roof fabrication works

Yet to start: Indoor and outdoor signaling and telecommunication works

Alandur

Contractor: Nagarjuna Construction Company

Works completed: Structural works; indoor signalling

In progress: Interior works like flooring, plastering, painting and
wall tile; erection of lifts and escalators; roof works;
telecommunication works

Yet to start: Outdoor installation of signals yet to start

writingonblog uncensored: TN helped release 1,870 labourers from bondage in ...

writingonblog uncensored: TN helped release 1,870 labourers from bondage in ...: Chennai: In the last three years, Tamil Nadu has identified and helped in releasing 1,870 bonded labourers and distributed Rs 136 lakh ...

TN helped release 1,870 labourers from bondage in last three years

Chennai:

In the last three years, Tamil Nadu has identified and helped in
releasing 1,870 bonded labourers and distributed Rs 136 lakh as
rehabilitation, according to state governor K Rosaiah.

Speaking during the inauguration of the ‘End Bonded Labour Campaign’
here on Thursday, the governor hailed efforts of the state government,
collectors and district officers in eradicating bonded labour.

“Tamil Nadu has consistently lead the nation in the state’s effort to
address the issues and curb bonded labour. So far more than 65,000
bonded labourers have been released since the passage of the Bonded
Labour Abolition Act in 1976,” Rosaiah said.

“Our constitution guarantees freedom and equality. But the Global
Slavery Index 2013 indicates that 13.9 million people are estimated to
be enslaved in india with most being trapped under the bonded labour
system,” the governor said.

Stating that the campaign will raise awareness and support against the
abominable crime of bonded labour, he hailed the efforts of
International Justice Mission in identification and release of 4,000
bonded labourers in Tamil Nadu.

He later inaugurated the ‘End Bonded Labour Campaign’. Talking about
the campaign, director of government and community relations,
International Justice Mission, Hepzibah Sunder said said that the
40-day campaign will advocate for ending bonded labour across 32
districts of Tamil Nadu.

“At each distriuct, the campaign will address the prevalence and
existence of the issue in its most relevant form,” she said.

She said Mugavari Cultural troupe, which works for the rights of the
marginalized people in the state, will perform a 20-minute street
theatre drama highlighting the injustice suffered by lakh of bonded
labourers throughout the state.

Loyola College principal G Joseph Antony Samy and director of research
and partnership, International Justice Mission Kural Amutham also
spoke on the occasion.

writingonblog uncensored: Mobile content platform Play It Interactive, raise...

writingonblog uncensored: Mobile content platform Play It Interactive, raise...: Mumbai: Play It Interactive, a mobile content platform designed to engage sports fans in emerging markets, has announced the closi...

Mobile content platform Play It Interactive, raises $ 1.1 million funding

Mumbai:

Play It Interactive, a mobile content platform designed to engage sports fans in emerging markets, has announced the closing of their oversubscribed funding round of $ 1.1 million USD.

This will enable the firm to deploy its mobile fan engagement offering to media companies and sports brands in the Indian market

The firm plans to use the funds raised to establish a presence In India to drive business and product development activities within the region.

The Canadian start-up is opening up an Indian head office which will be established in Mumbai, and will be recruiting local talent to enhance and localize its product offering as well as manage local partnerships

“This round of financing will allow Play It to build on opportunities in India and surrounding countries. We are excited about our traction and early success in the Indian market,” says Cory Cleveland President and Co-Founder of Play It Interactive, a start-up based in Canada.

“Play It is designed to engage a wide audience of sports fans in India by enabling immersive experiences, that are accessible to mobile subscribers at the lowest price point possible,” says Ray Newal, International Head who has earlier founded Jigsee, a bandwidth efficient mobile streaming platform for media companies in the Indian market.

Play It piloted its engagement platform via a Fantasy Football app, to coincide with the FIFA World Cup, for an Indian audience. “During the event Play It saw over 500,000 users, with an average user session time of over 14 minutes. These early indications point to tremendous engagement potential of our platform in the Indian market ,” adds Ray Newal.

writingonblog uncensored: India's prototype fast breeder reactor ready to be...

writingonblog uncensored: India's prototype fast breeder reactor ready to be...: Chennai: The prototype fast breeder reactor  (PFBR) in Kalpakkam is set to be filled with sodium after getting the clearance from Atomic...

India's prototype fast breeder reactor ready to be filled with sodium

Chennai:

The prototype fast breeder reactor  (PFBR) in Kalpakkam is set to be
filled with sodium after getting the clearance from Atomic Energy
Regulatory Board, according to Prabhat Kumar, Chairman and managing
director of Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI).

Kumar told Express on Tuesday that Sodium filling is set to take place
soon as the AERB clearance is expected any time. A total of 1,750
tonnes of liquid sodium would be loaded in the reactor.

He said the reactor has seven loops, which include the primary loop
(main vessel), two secondary loops and four safety grade decay heat
removal loops.

The sodium is to be heated by nitrogen as well as argon before being
transferred into the loops. Interestingly, the fast breeder reactor
also has a thermal baffle which is designed by Indira Gandhi Centre of
Atomic Research Scientists to provide annular passage for cold sodium,
which is circulated to cool the Main Vessel.

The main vessel will have liquid sodium with a temperature of 550
degree Celsius. This in turn will be cooled by cold sodium, at the
Thermal Baffle, which is also part of the primary loop.  This will
keep the maximum temperature during normal operation of the reactor to
less than 450 degree Celsius. This is to minimize the effect of creep,
thermal fatigue and embrittlement of the structure.

Kumar also said once the sodium is filled in the reactor, then the
next stage is for fuel replenishment after which the reactor will
attain criticality. “We expect to complete it before the financial
year,” he said while refusing to divulge any time frame.

He also ruled out any possible Japanese tie-up in developing fast
breeder rectors. Earlier, former chairman of Japanese Atomic
Energy Commission Yoichi Fujiie at an event held in Chennai expressed
keenness in forging a tie-up with India in developing fast breeder
reactors.

writingonblog uncensored: CMDA turns blind eye to National Building Code, sa...

writingonblog uncensored: CMDA turns blind eye to National Building Code, sa...: Chennai: The Association of Professional Town Planners (APTP) has submitted before R Reghupathy Enquiry Commission, which is probing the...

CMDA turns blind eye to National Building Code, say town planners

Chennai:

The Association of Professional Town Planners (APTP) has submitted
before R Reghupathy Enquiry Commission, which is probing the
Moulivakkam building collapse, that builders, promoters and
contractors don’t have awareness to employ qualified professionals and
engage in standard construction practices as per National Building
code 2005.

President of APTP K M Sadhanandh said the basic requirements of
engaging qualified professionals to practice in their competent field
in the construction industry and registering them has not been
complied with in consonance with national building code either in the
development regulations of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
or in the development control regulations followed in all
corporations, municipalities and town panchayats.

He also said that other states as well as union territories have been
strictly enforcing National building code 2005 requirements through
acts, rules and bylaws.

He also urged the commission to recommend to the state government to
approve Tamil Nadu Common Building rules for Urban Local Bodies’
within a time limit.



He also said in a memorandum submitted to the enquiry panel that
unlike architect, law, medical, nursing and accounts, engineering and
construction practices should have a council by an act to administer
the profession or professionals.

writingonblog uncensored: Water Resources department to conduct study on gro...

writingonblog uncensored: Water Resources department to conduct study on gro...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Water Resources Department will now conduct a study in and around Pallavaram to ascertain the presence of heavy m...

Water Resources department to conduct study on groundwater in Pallavaram

C Shivakumar
Chennai:

Water Resources Department will now conduct a study in and around
Pallavaram to ascertain the presence of heavy metals like chromium and
lead in the ground water.



A Water Resources Department official told Express that the ground
water wing would be conducting the study after a report from Indian
Express quoting a study by Anna University raised serious concerns
about the health of those who depend on ground water, which has been
polluted with heavy metals.


The study, ‘Trace Metals Contamination of Groundwater In and Around
Tannery Industrial Area of Pallavaram in Chennai’, which was conducted
by Centre for Water Resources, Anna University on January 2014,
assessed 18 groundwater samples collected from the tannery accumulated
site in Pallavaram and found that and found  that the presence of
chromium and lead in groundwater exceed the normal limits.



It found that not only that the groundwater is affected by leaching in
the area but also the waste from the industries dumped at the Periya
Eri is causing groundwater related problems.



Meanwhile, Water Resources Department has asked the chief engineer of
Chennai Corporation for setting up a labaoratory to analyse the
presence of heavy metals in the water samples.



Interestingly, a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of
India has highlighted that special parameters like heavy metals,
pesticides, inorganic carbon, organic carbon and total carbon which
cause health hazard could not be analyzed in water samples since 2006
due to failure of the DMK regime to take any initiative in setting up
Geo-Chemical Laboratory and appointment of Government analyst.

The lab was recommended by Central Pollution Control Board in May
2006. The report stated that Water Resources Department did not seek
fresh recognition since it could not comply with CPCB norms in respect
of staff pattern.

Special parameters become all the more significant in view of the fact
that department themselves identified presence of heavy metals such as
lead and iron beyond permissible limit in water as early as 2003,” the
report stated.

Currently, general parameters are only being tested, the report added.
It also stated that water quality data relating to special parameters
which cause health hazards for human beings were not captured for
surface water and ground water in Water Quality Data Entry System
database as these tests were not conducted.

writingonblog uncensored: Multi-modal integration likely to be delayed as CU...

writingonblog uncensored: Multi-modal integration likely to be delayed as CU...: C Shivakumar Chennai: Four years after the bill was passed in the assembly, the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority Act (...

Multi-modal integration likely to be delayed as CUMTA yet to be notified

C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Four years after the bill was passed in the assembly, the Chennai
Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority Act (CUMTA Act) is yet to
be notified.
Official sources told Express that CUMTA Act, which was to frame an
urban transport policy for the Chennai Metropolitan Area on the lines
of National Urban Transport Policy, received the assent of the
governor on November 27, 2010 and was published in the Tamil Nadu
Gazette Extraordinary on December 2, 2010.
But date of effect of the CUMTA Act is yet to be notified by the
government, the sources said. It is learnt that it could result in
delay of integration of all public mass passenger transport modes by
means of various measures including routing and scheduling, operating
feeder services and combined or common ticketing to facilitate
seamless commuting options to the public.
Currently, the state government has 10 different agencies, which are
involved in traffic and transportation management in Chennai
Metropolitan area and governed by various ministries and department.
Sources said since many agencies are involved in planning, providing
operations and managing transportation system in the CMA, the role of
such agencies overlap each other resulting in the need for a unified
agency for proper coordination and streamlining of the activities
among various agencies.
Interestingly, the law department has vetted the recommendations of
the 3rd meeting of CUMTA Rule Making Committee which was held on
December 19, 2013. The deliberations dwelt on appointment of a chief
executive officer and making the CEO as the member secretary of CUMTA.
It also suggested that the chief urban planner of Chennai Metropolitan
Development Authority may be made member convenor of CUMTA by amending
CUMTA Act suitably.
But the issue is CMDA does not have a planner who has expertise in
transport after the retirement of chief planner K Kumar . Sources said
there are couple of planners, who studied transport planning using
CMDA funds but they are being underutilized in area plans unit.
“There is an urgent need to make use of their expertise as Chennai
Metro Rail is set to take shape by the end of this year. The
government can even take the help of retired planners who have
expertise in transportation,” sources added.


CUMTA dateline:
1994: TN plans establishment of Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority
Nov 27, 2010: CUMTA receives assent of governor
December, 2, 2010: Published in TN Gazette Extraordinary
February 9, 2012: First meeting held under Transport Minister
July, 2012: First Executive Committee Meeting held
December, 2013: CUMTA Rule Making committee holds third meeting
Current Status:
1.   Date of effect of CUMTA Act yet to be notified
2.   The working committees are meeting regularly
3.   CMDA has initiated a study on multi-modal integration of four
rail corridors of Chennai Metropolitan Area
4.   Working committee of non-motorised transport implementing
initiatives such as laying of footpaths, bicycle tracks etc

writingonblog uncensored: Loads of poison in Pallavaram groundwater pose hea...

writingonblog uncensored: Loads of poison in Pallavaram groundwater pose hea...: C Shivakumar Chennai: The health of people living in Pallavaram is under serious threat due to presence of heavy metals like chromium and l...

writingonblog uncensored: Loads of poison in Pallavaram groundwater pose hea...

writingonblog uncensored: Loads of poison in Pallavaram groundwater pose hea...: C Shivakumar Chennai: The health of people living in Pallavaram is under serious threat due to presence of heavy metals like chromium and l...

Loads of poison in Pallavaram groundwater pose health risk to residents

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

The health of people living in Pallavaram is under serious threat due to presence of heavy
metals like chromium and lead in the ground water, according to a
study published in the International Journal of Research in
Engineering and Technology.

The study, ‘Trace Metals Contamination of Groundwater In and Around
Tannery Industrial Area of Pallavaram in Chennai’, which was conducted
by Centre for Water Resources, Anna University on January 2014,
assessed 18 groundwater samples collected from the tannery accumulated
site in Pallavaram. It found that not only that the groundwater is
affected by leaching in the area but also the waste from the
industries dumped at the Periya Eri is causing groundwater related
problems.

The study, which was published on May 2014, found that while none off
the people used the ground water for drinking purposes, most of them
used it for domestic purposes.

It stated that when the water is used by people for bathing and
washing, the soap does not produce froth and causes skin rashes,
itching, fever, diarrhoea and this is particularly experienced among
the children within the age group of less than five years of age.

The study stated that the presence of chromium and lead in groundwater
exceed the normal limits. Studies of groundwater in this area have
found high concentrations of Chromium, which is much more than the
permissible limit in drinking water.

“The tanneries are polluting the groundwater causing ecological
degradation and health hazards. High concentration of chromium may be
due to various anthropogenic activities like industrial effluent from
tanneries and household sewages,” the study stated.

Chromium is highly toxic and even in small concentrations cause
diseases in humans and animals. The major source of chromium is the
effluent from tanneries as they use chrome sulphate which is an
essential chemical in the tanning process, the study stated.

The study also stated that the ground water has high concentration of
lead. “The lead concentration in the area ranges from 0.06 to 1.00
mg/l with an average of 0.65 mg/l. The concentration of lead in most
of samples exceeds the safe limit of 0.05 mg/l beyond this limit the
water becomes toxic,” the study stated.

The consumption of lead in higher quantity may cause behavioral
problems, hearing loss, high kidney damage, reduced IQ, decreased
sperm production,  blood pressure and hypertension and eventually it
may be  prove to be fatal, the study stated.

“The concentrations of heavy metals in the ground water is threatening
and thereby posing a serious health hazard. It is not that the effect
is alone to human health but also economical in way that the  people
has to spend a reasonable part of their income towards  purchasing
better quality water for drinking and other domestic needs as a
precautionary measure to avoid health impact. Thus indirectly in a way
to avoid health impacts the social cost of living of the people is
made high. Thus, there is as alarming need to mitigate the water
quality problems in the area due to heavy metals,” the study stated.

40 pc of Indian coast subjected to coastal erosion

Chennai:

A study by the Ministry of Environment and Forests through the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai in association with the Institute of Ocean Management,Anna University, Chennai  revealed that  on an average, around 40 per cent of the Indian coast is subjected to coastal erosion.

The  study regarding “assessment of shore line change for the entire coast of mainland India, extending from Gujarat in the West coast to West Bengal in the East coast” was assessed for a period of 38 years from 1972 – 2010.

The Ministry had in 1995 constituted a Coastal Protection Development Advisory Committee (CPDAC) under the Chairmanship of Member (RM), Central Water Commission to study the coastal erosion processes in the country and measures required to tackle the problem in a scientific and coordinated manner. The committee has met 14 times so far and it had interactions with coastal States, according to Ministry of Water Resources.

CMDA surveys 409 buildings; 50 pc buildings violated plans

Chennai:

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has finished the first
phase of survey of 409 multi-storied as well as special buildings and
more than 50 per cent have deviated from the plan.



A CMDA spokesman told Express that they will be scrutinizing the
details and preparing notices before starting the second phase.



The inspection by CMDA comes in the wake of the collapse of 11-storied
Moulivakkam building that killed more than 60 people. A total of 700
buildings were ordered to be inspected for structural defects.



The spokesman, however, refused to part with information on how many
buildings deviated from the original plan. As per earlier update 182
buildings had deviated from the original plan.



CMDA sources said that more than 50 per cent of buildings deviated
from the plan. A majority of the deviations are minor ones. “They have
been asked to rectify the defects so that they could get the
completion certificate,” the source said.

In case of buildings that have already got completion certificate,
they have to demolish the illegal structure, the source added.

writingonblog uncensored: Developers bend rules to escape paying development...

writingonblog uncensored: Developers bend rules to escape paying development...: C Shivakumar Chennai: The state government is suffering losses to the exchequer as developers are using shortcuts to escape from paying inf...

Developers bend rules to escape paying development charges for small townships

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

The state government is suffering losses to the exchequer as
developers are using shortcuts to escape from paying infrastructure
and amenities charges.

According to information available with Express many developers
prepare a layout and get it approved from Chennai Metropolitan
Development Authority.

After getting it approved. The developer gifts the roads as well as
parks to the local body and then doesn’t sell the plots which have
been approved in the layout. He keeps the plots and then later
develops it into a small township or a gated community.

But then this is all done to escape from paying the development
charges. A CMDA source confirmed that now developers have started
using this technique.

“When you gift a park or road to the local body then the layout is
open to public. Interestingly, the developer builds a compound wall
and a gate restricting access to the public. This is against the
spirit of layout. This requires the developer to pay the development
charges,” sources said.

When Express contacted a builder, he said on condition of anonymity
that once the layout is converted into a gated community then the
developer has to pay infrastructure and amenities charges or
development charges. he said if the builder doesn't pay, then it is
termed as violation.

Interestingly, a local body in Ayamabakkam has alleged of such a
violation by a developer. The official states that the developer
prepared a layout for 177 plots but then instead of selling the plots
he amalgated it and built 672 houses. It resulted in setback
violations as the space between the two buildings should be five feet.

Besides he has also encroached upon the land which he has gifted to
the local body, the local body official alleged.

A CMDA official said this is now a new trend among the developers
after the development charges were increased. However, there are no
figures available on how many developers have flouted the rules. Top
CMDA officials could not be contacted.