writingonblog uncensored: Infrastructure projects hit as TN faces sand crisi...

writingonblog uncensored: Infrastructure projects hit as TN faces sand crisi...: Chennai: Infrastructure projects in  the state  have been crippled  as the state is facing sand  crisis with only one third of  sand quarr...

Infrastructure projects hit as TN faces sand crisis

Chennai:
Infrastructure projects in the state have been crippled as the state is facing sand crisis with only one third of sand quarries are operating. 

Builders, sand lorry owners and developers claim that nearly 30 to 40 per cent of construction projects have been hit due to the crisis as only 10 of the 38 sand quarries in the state are functional.

A Public Works Department official said the crisis has blown up as many of the lease of sand quarries have lapsed. “We are operating less than 15 sand quarries and the government is planning to resovle the crisis soon,” he said.

“The licences have to be renewed besides we require the clearance from State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) for clearance of identified new quarries. Currently, we could not get it as there is no chairman of SEIAA,” said the PWD source.

However, he refused to provide information on how many new quarries have been identified.

The sand prices have gone up from Rs 20,000 per truckload of sand to Rs 25,000 per truckload. Not only that, the fall in the number of quarries that are operating has restricted the availability of sand.

Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners Association President R Muniratham said that Chennai used to get 10,000 truck loads of sand a day. Now it is being reduced to only 2,000.

T Chitty Babu, national chairman of Confederation of Real Estate Developer’s Association of India (Best Practices) and chairman and managing director of Akshaya Homes told Express that many government and private infrastructure projects have been hit due to the rise in sand prices.

He said the sand mining issue has not been properly addressed by the government. He stressed for the need for a transparent approach in tendering process to get a reasonable pricing for sand. He also wanted prices to be fixed for artificial sand (m-sand) which automatically rises when the natural sand is not available.

Former president of Confederation of Real Estate Developer’s Association of India (CREDAI), Chennai chapter, Ajit Chordia said that the rise in prices of sand has come at a time when the real estate market is recovering. He said if the sand crisis is not resolved soon then other alternatives like duty free import of sand from Cambodia should be considered by the state government. 

He says the pinch will be felt by contractors rather than developers. “The developers usually hire the contractors to provide blue metal and sand,” Chordia said.

He warned that several projects will be delayed as a result prices of projects could appreciate if the issue is not resolved soon. 

Former National President of the Builders' Association of India R Radhakrishnan blamed it on state government for failing to initiate immediate action to arrest the crisis. He said already 30 to 40 per cent of constructions projects have been affected due to the crisis.

Factfile:

1. Sand prices have gone up from Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000

2. Only 10 of the 38 sand quarries are in the state are functioning

3. Chennai used to get 10,000 truck loads of sand a day. Now it is being reduced to only 2,000.

4. The licences of sand quarries could not to be renewed as there is no chairman of SEIAA.

5. Nearly 30 to 40 per cent of construction projects in the state is hit due to sand crisis

writingonblog uncensored: Indian Navy's Soviet era Long Range Maritime Aircr...

writingonblog uncensored: Indian Navy's Soviet era Long Range Maritime Aircr...: Chennai: After 29 years of dedicated service to the nation, Indian Navy's Long Range Maritime Patrol (LRMR) aircraft TU142M will f...

Indian Navy's Soviet era Long Range Maritime Aircraft to fy into history after 29 years of service

Chennai:

After 29 years of dedicated service to the nation, Indian Navy's Long Range Maritime Patrol (LRMR) aircraft TU142M will fly into history on Wednesday after it will be formally de-inducted by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba at a special ceremony scheduled to be held at INS Rajali, India's premiere Naval Air Station in Arakkonam.

A Soviet Union era aircraft, it was inducted into Indian Navy at Dabolim Goa in 1988. The aircraft subsequently shifted base permanently to INS Rajali in 1992 and became the most formidable LRMR Aanti submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft of the Indian Navy. The aircraft has done the Indian Navy proud by participating in all major naval exercises and operations with distinction. The aircraft saw action during operation ‘Cactus’ in Maldives and participated in operational missions off Sri Lanka to provide airborne surveillance. TU142M aircraft with its four powerful engines, contra rotating, slender fuselage and swept wings is the fastest turboprop aircraft in the world and reportedly has been difficult to intercept by fighters. With its enhanced endurance, speed, long range weapons and sensors the aircraft transformed the aspects of Maritime Reconnaissance and airborne aniti-submarine aircraft for the Indian Navy and was one of the most formidable platforms around the world. 

The aircraft has had a distinguished service with over 30,000 hours of accident free flying. During its service life, the aircraft has undergone several modifications and retro fitments to keep up with evolving technology and changing requirements of Indian Navy. As a result, the aircraft has throughout its service life, been participating in and has been a major factor during all Naval operations. Despite being in its twilight year, the aircraft performed exceptionally well during the recently conducted Naval Exercise TROPEX in March 2017. 

Meanwhile, Indian Navy will be marking the silver Silver Jubilee of INS Rajali, the naval air station which was synonymous with the TU and its home for the last 29 years. The role of TU142M will now be taken on by the newly inducted P-8l aircraft. The P-8I aircraft has proven all its systems and has been fully integrated into the operational grid of the Indian Navy. Commander Yogender Mair, the last Commanding officer of the squadron with TU142M aircraft will hand over the reins to Commander V Ranganathan, who will be the first Squadron Commanding Officer with the P-8l.

Factfile:

---Indian Naval Air Squadron 312 was commissioned on November 18, 1976 at INS Hansa, Goa, with five Lockheed L1049G Super Constellation aircraft acquired from No. 6 Squadron of the IAF. After de-induction of Super Constellation from the squadron in 1983

--- TU-142M LRMR ASW aircraft was inducted into  INAS 312 on April 88 by the then Defence Minister, KC Pant at  INS Hansa. 

--- The squadron later shifted its base to the East Coast of India in April 92 and has since then been based at INS Rajali, Arakkonam.

--- INAS 312 has the unique distinction of operating the heaviest, fastest and highest flying turbo prop in the world namely the TU-142M which has been the mainstay of LRMR and ASW operations of the Indian Navy for close to three decades. 

writingonblog uncensored: Alliance Air soon to operate Colombo flight from ...

writingonblog uncensored: Alliance Air soon to operate Colombo flight from ...: Chennai:​ Alliance Air, a wholly owned  subsidiary of Air India, will  soon be operating a flight  from Bangalore to Colombo  which will f...

Alliance Air soon to operate Colombo flight from Madurai

Chennai:​

Alliance Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India, will soon be operating a flight from Bangalore to Colombo which will fly via Madurai, according to Air India’s regional director, southern region, Captain S Arulmani.

Speaking to Express at a function organised to honour top travel agents of Chennai who have achieved high sales and helped Air India to grow further on late Friday night, Capt Arulmani said that schedules are being planned in this regard.

He said Alliance Air has planned to operate the Colombo flight from Madurai as it was along the expectations of the travelling public.

Similarly, Air India has plans to operate Airbus 320 Neo aircraft from Chennai Airport to destinations like Singapore and Bangkok. 

“This will happen once we get the additional aircraft,” said Captain Arulmani. 

Air India is planning to add 100 more aircraft in the next three years. Currently, it touches 71 domestic destinations and 41 international destinations. It is also planning to add Tel Aviv and Washington as new international destinations along with a destination in Scandinavian country which could be either Stockholm or Copenhagen.

Air India is also betting big on its new four Dreamliner aircraft which it is planing to acquire by October. It has powerful engines and could travel at a altitude of 43,000 feet, said captain Arulmani.

Earlier, Captain Arulmani honoured travel agents in domestic and international sector. They include Riya Travels and Akbar Travels for their performance in both International and domestic sectors. Balmer Lawrie was honoured for its performance in domestic sector while FCM Travels was honoured for its performance in international sector

writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Airport honoured for being ‘Best Tourist f...

writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Airport honoured for being ‘Best Tourist f...: Chennai: Chennai International  A irport ,  the fourth busiest in India,   has won the honour of being  t he  'Best Tourist Friendly  ...

Chennai Airport honoured for being ‘Best Tourist friendly Airport’

Chennai:

Chennai International Airport, the fourth busiest in India,  has won the honour of being the 'Best Tourist Friendly Airport' even as more passenger friendly initiatives are being lined up to make it one of the best airports in India.

The award was conferred by Madura Welcome, a tourist guide book company, in association with Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. 

Airport Director G Chandramouli told Express that the award is a feel good factor and Chennai airport will soon unveil series of projects to make it more passenger friendly.

“From Monday, we are inaugurating free shuttle services from international to domestic airports,” said the airport director said.

Similarly, Project Management Consultant (PMC) has visited the Chennai Airport as part of the process of modernisation of Chennai airport in the second phase. They will soon be coming preparing plan for approval from the board, said Chandramouli.

He also said the tenders for escalator from Chennai Metro to the airport would be opened this month. “It was one of the long pending issues,” he said.

Passengers would also have a travellator facility to move from international to domestic terminal. “The tenders are scheduled to open this month at our head quarters,” he said. The travelator was originally a part of phase I modernisation of Chennai airport that was taken up few years ago; but it was later dropped from the project for various reasons.

Interestingly, this is the second time in a row that Chennai Airport has won the honour, a Chennai airport spokeswoman said.

Chennai Airport has also introduced a series of passenger friendly measures under Airport Authority of India’s Project DISHA (Driving Improvement in Service and Hospitality at Airports).

Factfile:

-- Phase I, beautification works such as sculptures/arts/paintings/Horticulture was taken up through Poompuhar in International Terminal at a cost of Rs 2.50 crores, which has been widely appreciated by the tourists. 

--- Under Phase II, the same beautification work has been taken up through Poompuhar in Domestic Terminal T1 also at a cost of Rs.2.50 crore. 

--- State-of-the-art new duty free shop has been set up in both departure and arrival in 500 sq.m area. 

--- New sculpture works on local tradition and culture provided in security hold area of International terminal at a cost of Rs 22 lakh as an attraction for foreign tourists.

--- New Housekeeping MESS contract based on Quality and Cost Based Selection(QCBS) System has been awarded separately, which has resulted in improvement in the upkeep of terminal building 

--- Chennai Airport achieved Airport Service Quality(ASQ) rating of 4.66 on 5 point scale in second quarter of 2016 and ranked 37 amongst 320 Airports across 80 countries.

writingonblog uncensored: After 15 years, there is hope for Rs 600 crore EMR...

writingonblog uncensored: After 15 years, there is hope for Rs 600 crore EMR...: Chennai: After n early 15 years , the  30  km stretch of formerly   Ennore- Manali Road Improvement  Project (EMRIP)  may be  complete...

After 15 years, there is hope for Rs 600 crore EMRIP project

Chennai:

After nearly 15 years, the 30 km stretch of formerly Ennore-Manali Road Improvement Project (EMRIP) may be completed with the eviction of 446 families in Nalla Thanner Odai Kuppam along the Coastal road.

Nearly 99per cent of the Rs 600 crore project, which was conceived in 1998 that links four roads --- Tiruvottiyur-Ponneri-Panchetti (TPP) sector, Ennore Expressway, Manali Oil Refinery Road and northern portions of Inner Ring Road from Madhavaram to Manali has been completed and the only hurdle was the acquisition of the slum land. The special purpose vehicle for the project was formed in 2003.

It seems Slum Clearance Board is working out a proposal worth Rs 31.68 crore to build 352 tenements for families in 2.28 acres of land belonging to Thiagarajaswamy temple in Tiruvottiyur adopting stilt plus four pattern of development. Similarly, the remaining families will be accommodated tenements in All India Radio land in North Chennai where in 416 tenements are nearing completion.

The Thiagarajaswamy temple land has to be handed over by Thiruvallur collector to slum clearance board to build the tenements.

Sources told Express that the state government is seeking funds from Chennai Port to build the tenements. It is learnt that biometric survey of slum families in NTO Kuppam is in progress. The Slum Clearance Board would issue temporary allotment orders for the families once the land is taken over by the slum clearance board to facilitate them to move to alternate places.

Interestingly, EMRIP is among the 10 stalled projects where the work has resumed.

The project road network of 30.1 km. covers Ennore Expressway (5.9 kms), Thiruvottiur Ponneri Pancheti Road (9 Km), Manali Oil Refinery Road (5.4 kms), Northern segment of Inner Ring Road – 8.1 Km and Inside Fishing Harbour Road (1.6 km). It starts from starts from Chennai Port Trust (ChPT) zero gate and ends at Kamarajar Port.

Timeline:

1998: Project worth rs 160 crore announced by govt

2003: Special Purpose Vehicle formed. Cost estimated to be Rs 309 crore

2006: Foundation of Tiruvottiyur-Ponneri-Pamchetti Road laid

January 2011: Foundation for EMRIP laid. Project is now worth Rs 600

Nov 2014: 99pc of work completed. Delay is due to non removal of slums in Cherian nagar and NTO Kuppam

Feb 2016: 75 slum families in Cherian Nagar accomodated to newly econstructed tenements at Ranganathapuram Tenement scheme

March 2017: Slum Clearance Board seeks rs 31.68 crore to evict 446 families in Nalla Thaneer Oddai (NTO) Kuppam.

writingonblog uncensored: TN seeks report from CMDA on backlog of cases pend...

writingonblog uncensored: TN seeks report from CMDA on backlog of cases pend...: Chennai: The state government has asked Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to submit a report within two weeks after it was ...

TN seeks report from CMDA on backlog of cases pending in HC

Chennai:

The state government has asked Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to submit a report within two weeks after it was rapped by Madras High Court recently for the huge backlog of cases pertaining to CMDA  pending in the court.



This comes after additional advocate general informed the government that huge number of writ petitions are filed before Madras High Court seeking direction to CMDA and revenue authorities to dispose of the representation.



It is learnt that the Madras High Court has expressed its dismay over the pendency of representations for years warranting its interference by issuing directions.



As per a audit report, there are more than 2,000 pertaining to CMDA which is pending in various other courts, including Madras High Court.



Most of the cases pertain to service rules, unauthorised constructions, land acquisitions, CMDA project related cases, writ petitions etc.



Sources said that housing secretary has asked CMDA to submit a report within two weeks regarding the pending of cases in Madras High Court.



It is learnt that chief planners and senior planners have been asked to dispose of the representation of their concerned divisions by member secretary of CMDA.



They have also been asked to furnish division wise report pertaining to delay in disposal of pending representation.



This comes in the wake of state government developing a Court Case Monitoring System (CCMS), an IT application platform to monitor cases pending against the concerned department or officials.



The CCMS was set up after more than 20,000 contempt of court petitions were pending against Tamil Nadu government officials in Madras High Court and Madurai Bench between the year 2010 to February 16, 2014.

writingonblog uncensored: Officers Training Academy gets new commandant

writingonblog uncensored: Officers Training Academy gets new commandant: Chennai: Lt Gen Rajan Ravindran took  over the reins of Officers  Training Academy, Chennai as  the 30th Commandant.  The Officiating ...

Officers Training Academy gets new commandant

Chennai:

Lt Gen Rajan Ravindran took over the reins of Officers Training Academy, Chennai as the 30th Commandant. 

The Officiating Commandant Maj Gen VD Chowgule, an alumni of Rashtriya Military School, Chail, handed over the baton to the new incumbent. 

The General is the senior most serving OTA Alumni and only the second officer from OTA to take over the mantle of this prestigious institution. He is the first Tamilian Officer of the rank of Lieutenant General to command Officers Training Academy. In his first official function in the Academy, the General reviewed the Commandants Parade at Parameswaran Drill Squre.

A graduate of Loyola College, Chennai, Ravindran was commissioned in September 1978 in the Thirteenth Battalion of The Grenadiers Regiment of Infantry. He held important appointments including Instructor at Indian Military Training Team Bhutan. The General has vast experience in Counter Insurgency Operations in Mizoram, Punjab and Assam. He has also participated in Operation Vijay and Operation Meghdoot. He is married to Radhika Ravindran, a home maker and they have two daughters Mridula and Mandira.

writingonblog uncensored: When Andaman and Nicobar Islands gained Independe...

writingonblog uncensored: When Andaman and Nicobar Islands gained Independe...: Chennai: Do you know the significance  of December 30, 1943 for  India?, asked Lt Governor of  Union Territory of Andaman  and Nicobar Isl...

When Andaman and Nicobar Islands gained Independence on Dec 30, 1943.....

Chennai:

Do you know the significance of December 30, 1943 for India?, asked Lt Governor of Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Prof Jagdish Mukhi.

Prof Mukhi, who has promised to transform the Island making it another paradise for the natives, gently says it was on this day that the Tricolour was hoisted by Subash Chandra Bose and the most dreaded Kalapani or Cellular Jail was liberated.

“It was during this day Bose addressed a mass rally of Indians at the Gymkhana Ground, now known as Netaji Stadium and formally hoisted the national Tricolour,” said Prof Mukhi.

Quoting Bose, he said that, “Like Bastille in Paris, which was liberated first in French Revolution, setting free political prisoners, the Andamans where our patriots suffered is the first to be liberated in India’s fight for Independence.”

Prof Mukhi wants to revive the patriotic fervour in the Island and says he plans to name every road and street in the Island after freedom fighters. Interestingly, during December, 30, 2016, he felicitated the survivors of Indian National Army. There were 11 of them of which six were felicitated. Four were unwell and for one a representative attended and he was felicitated, he says.

Interestingly, the governor is sore that not much coverage is given to the significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Island that played a crucial role in India’s freedom movement.

During the last six months since he assumed office, he has been making sure that the development works which could not be completed in the last 10 years are completed during his tenure.

“Tourism is my priority. But I want to ensure that people in the Island are not dependent on the mainland,” he says as he chalks out several plans to develop the Island. “We want to set up hospitals, central university, develop roads and rail network. I want to ensure all facilities are made available in the Island,” he says.

“Plans are also on to develop Sea walking, an under water adventure sport prevalent in tropical islands such as Australia besides having a sea plane. We are also planning to procure new passenger ships, which could be plying from Chennai to Andamans,” he said

writingonblog uncensored: Metro Water eyes Porur Lake to quench thirst of C...

writingonblog uncensored: Metro Water eyes Porur Lake to quench thirst of C...: Chennai: In a bid to quench the thirst  of the city during the summer,  water managers are now  tapping every available water  resourc...

Metro Water eyes Porur Lake to quench thirst of Chennai

Chennai:

In a bid to quench the thirst of the city during the summer, water managers are now tapping every available water resources in the city including Porur lake and stone quarries.

As the reservoirs supplying water to the city is fast drying up, Metro Water is planning to treat the water in Porur Lake and use it for drinking purpose.

A Chennai Metro Water spokesman told Express that a temporary water treatment plant has been set up in Porur lake to treat the water and supply it to the city through Veeraam Pipeline which passes through the lake.

But before that, Metro Water has to test the water and ensure it is potable enough. “We will be sending in the samples of water to Kings Institute to ensure that the water is potable,” the spokesman said.

“The idea is to tap 4MLD of water from Porur lake every day. The water in the lake could last for 100 days,” said the spokesman.

Similarly, efforts are on to tap the stone quarries for ensuring water supply to the city. “We are planning to tap 31 stone quarries in and aound the city. These include 22 stone quarries in Mangadu, three in Thiruneermalai, three in Pammal and three Nanmangalam,” said the spokesman.

“The samples are being tested to ensure they are potable before it is being transported to Chenmbarambakkam treatment plant,” he said.

“This would ensure additional 30 MLD of water for the city,” the spokesman said.

With Veeranam and Cholavaram reservoirs drying up, the city now has only 1.7 million cubic feet of water left in three reservoirs to quench the thirst of the city during the summer. While the only hope now is Krishna water, the supply of which could stop anytime now depending upon the dry conditions in neighbouring Andhra, the water managers are trying out every possible alternative to ensure the supply of water.

Interestingly, the rains which were predicted this month have again failed with the dark clouds hovering over the city failing to burst open, 

The city is also reliant on the two desalination plants in Nemelli and Minjur which supply 200 MLD of water. The other alternate source is water from Neyveli Lignite Corporation Mines and ground water from the agriculture wells. And if the ground water starts depleting then the city has to gear up for a severe water crisis

Box:

Lake levels

Poondi:

Full Capacity: 3231 million cubic feet

Storage last year: 2013

Current level: 683mcft

Cholavaram:

Full Capacity: 881 million cubic feet

Storage last year: 348

Current level: 17 mcft

Red Hills:

Full Capacity: 3300 million cubic feet

Storage last year: 2630

Current level: 681 mcft

Chembarambakkam:

Full Capacity: 3645 million cubic feet

Storage last year: 2750

Current level: 262 mcft

Capacity of four reservoirs: 11057 million cubic feet

Last year level: 7,741 mcft

Current level: 1,643 mcft

writingonblog uncensored: Detained Oil Spill Vessels may be allowed to sail ...

writingonblog uncensored: Detained Oil Spill Vessels may be allowed to sail ...: Chennai: Directorate General of  shipping is likely to let the  detained vessels --- Isle of  Man flagship B W Maple and  Indian Flagship...

Detained Oil Spill Vessels may be allowed to sail once claims are settled

Chennai:

Directorate General of shipping is likely to let the detained vessels --- Isle of Man flagship B W Maple and Indian Flagship vessel M T Dawn Kancheepuram-- to sail off the Chennai Coast once the claims are settled, according to Amitabh Kumar, additional director general of Shipping, 

“Once the claims are settled, the vessels would be allowed to sail,” he said.

Till now, a total of three to four claims have been received. The focus is now on to settle the claims as well as complete the inquiry as soon as possible, he said. 

Kumar said that the state government is tying up with fishing community on filling up the prescribed claims certificate which once filled would be reviewed before settling the claims.

Meanwhile, more than one month has passed since oil spilled into the sea after collision between the two vessels but the inquiry by Directorate General of Shipping has yet to ascertain how much quantity of oil did really leak. 

Investigating officials told Express that the problem is to ascertain the quantity of oily water mixture present in one of the tanks of MT Dawn Kancheepuram. “This could be done by transferring the oil-water mixture to a separate tank. The arrangements have been made and the process is on,” said the sources. 

Once a final re-verification is carried out then a firm conclusion on how much oil has really leaked could be made.

Meanwhile, sources in state environment and forest department said that the finance department is vetting the proposal for formation for 10-member committee to study the impact of oil along the coast of Chennai. “The officials are from IIT Madras, Central Pollution Control Board, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and other agencies are part of the committee,” sources said.

To a query on oil patches found in Cuddalore, Pondicherry and other parts of the coast being linked to the oil spilled from M T Dawn Kancheepuram, a official source said that National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is studying it.

writingonblog uncensored: TN planning to do away with development regulation...

writingonblog uncensored: TN planning to do away with development regulation...: Chennai: The state government is  planning to do away with  development regulation of  providing 10pc of built up  area in any projects  d...

TN planning to do away with development regulation reserving 10pc homes for EWS

Chennai:

The state government is planning to do away with development regulation of providing 10pc of built up area in any projects developed on piece of land exceeding area of 10,000 square metres for low income group (LIG) housing within the site or in a radius of 2km.

Instead, plans are on to fix a fee on development above 10,000 square metres on the lines of infrastructure and amenities charges which can be pooled under the newly proposed Shelter Fund, which will finance affordable housing for slum dwellers.

The proposal comes in the wake of announcement made during last year to create Shelter Fund to finance affordable housing. 

However, the modalities for creation of fund and its utilisation has yet to be worked out. It is learnt that a high level meeting under the chairmanship of chief secretary along with additional chief secretary fiance and other top officials is to be held to get the clearance for the proposal at the highest level.

Sources reveal that the government is also considering the idea of a general affordable housing fee to be charged from all the developments having a unit size of above 1,000 square feet for residential areas and from all commercial, industrial and institutional developments.

There is also a proposal to levy shelter cess on industries, which employ large number of workers, besides directing companies to contribute 50pc of corporate social responsibility fund to shelter fund.

Meanwhile, the state government has asked Slum Clearance Board as well as State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu to suggest lands where in pilot projects for affordable housing on rental and ownership models can be taken up.

Tamil Nadu government is planning to create 12.94 lakh housing stock for economically weaker sections in the state under ‘Housing for All’ Mission. 

Box:

Why Shelter fund for affordable Housing?

Chennai:

Despite existence of state Slum Clearance Board for over four decades, the number of slum habitations have continued to increase as the board failed to maintain a proper database of the allottees resulting in the sale of homes meant for homeless to people who could pay a premium on such housing units.

The lack of proper database of the allottees has failed to check subsequent sale and rent of housing units and plots supplied by it to them free of cost at very high market premium.

As a result, the units meant for accommodating house-less poor ended up in the hands of people who could pay premium on such housing units.

“Even the recent efforts to create biometric database has failed to arrest the practice,” sources said.

It is learnt that Tamil Nadu Slum Areas Act has lost its relevance as the emphasis of the Act is not to provide housing but to clear the slums or improve the conditions of slums.

Sources said the biggest issue plaguing the city is land availability for affordable housing. It seems government is looking at large extent of government lands are held by various departments without proper utilisation or under utilised.  

Similarly, if the planning parameter are aligned with the objective of achieving the maximum built up space in affordable housing projects, finding availability of sufficient land for housing every one in the city will not be a herculean task. Subsidies could be provided through Shelter Fund. ​​