writingonblog uncensored: India to skill its nuke workforce in handling Fast...

writingonblog uncensored: India to skill its nuke workforce in handling Fast...: CHENNAI: As the 500 Mega Watt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, which is an important milestone for India's three...

India to skill its nuke workforce in handling Fast reactors

CHENNAI:

As the 500 Mega Watt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, which is an important milestone for India's three-stage nuclear power programme, is just a step away, India is now trying to skill its nuclear workforce in Fast Reactor Engineering.

Dr Arun Kumar Bhaduri, Distinguished Scientist and Director of Indira Gandhi Centre of Atomic Research and General Service Organisation (GSO) said this year orientation training in Fast Reactor Engineering will be offered inhouse to qualify and orient nuclear workforce to the operation and maintenance requirements of the Fast Breeder Reactors.

In total six Fast Breeder Reactor units are planned to be set up out of which the first two units will come up at Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu). Sites for the Units 3-4 and Units 5-6 are being identified.

Training is currently offered in four disciplines --- Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Reactor Physics, Nuclear Fuel Cycle Chemistry.

The in-house training programme was launched by Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha in 1956 for skilling of nuclear workforce. Initially, the prestigious BARC Training School, Mumbai was set up in the year 1956 to ensure that the country becomes self-reliant and self-sustaining in the field of nuclear science and technology. To meet the changing needs of Department of Atomic Energy, four additional BARC Training Schools have come up at Hyderabad, Indore and Kalpakkam.

The fast breeder reactor, which breeds more material for a nuclear fission reaction than it consumes, is one of the key projects of India’s three-stage nuclear power programme. India became the sixth country to have such a technology, way back in 1985.

Fast Breeder Reactor is quite different from the conventional reactor, which are cooled by light or heavy water. Fast breeder reactors are cooled by liquid sodium which critics feel is dangerous as it reacts explosively with both air and water.

Meanwhile, the 12th Batch of 29 Trainee Scientific Officers from the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Training School at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam successfully completed their one year orientation cum training in the field of nuclear science and  engineering on July 26.

writingonblog uncensored: HC questions CMDA approval to a realty project

writingonblog uncensored: HC questions CMDA approval to a realty project tha...: Chennai: Madras High Court on Thursday questioned the approval given to a private builder to construct 13 storied residential flats wh...

HC questions CMDA approval to a realty project

Chennai:

Madras High Court on Thursday questioned the approval given to a private builder to construct 13 storied residential flats which allegedly encroached upon Adyar River on the southern side abutting Maraimalai Adigalar Bridge in Saidapet on the side of Rajiv Gandhi Statue.

Summoning the Multi-Storey Building Committee of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority to appear before the court, judges N Kirubakaran J and Krishnan Ramasamy J said that it is a million dollar question as to how approval was granted to private builder when there is no access to the property from Anna Salai or from any other side.

“The site is bound on the north by Adyar River, East by Dhobigana, West by a water channel and the land on the southern side belongs to Tamil nadu Highways department as such there is no arrangement to enter the premises from any side,” the court observed.

All the authorities who gave approval have been directed to appear before the court and file an affidavit giving details as to how they had given such approval in the absence of ingress and egress to the property.

“The CMDA as well as the Corporation of Chennai are directed to give the details of the buildings which have been constructed in the southern side of the Adyar River, next to the subject property including the names of the owners, so that this Court will suo motu implead them as party to the proceedings to decide whether they had encroached on the river bund or put up construction as per law,” the judges observed.

The judges also impleaded revenue secretary and the commissioner of revenue administration as Disaster Management Authority which is under the control of the Revenue Department has assessed the impact of the deluge. They have been asked to appear before the court on next hearing. The court also impleaded Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.

The court also directed Engineer-in-chief (Water Resource Department) to file the rules and regulations or the statute which prescribes a minimum of 50m distance between a waterway and a building or the one which states that the minimum distance could vary from place to place.

writingonblog uncensored: Russia ships out equipment for Kudankulam Nuclear...

writingonblog uncensored: Russia ships out equipment for Kudankulam Nuclear...: CHENNAI: Atomenergomash, a machine-building division of Russia’s Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation, manufactured and shipped out...

Russia ships out equipment for Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in India

CHENNAI:

Atomenergomash, a machine-building division of Russia’s Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation, manufactured and shipped out set of equipment for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu, according to Rosatom. 

The equipment includes Moisture Separator Reheaters and High Pressure Heaters for KKNPP Unit 3 as well as spare parts for the scheduled maintenance of Reactor Coolant Pumps at KKNPP Units 1&2, the Rosatom release stated.

Moisture Separator Reheaters, manufactured by ZiO-Podolsk, a subsidiary of Atomenergomash, are designed to remove water condensed from the process steam to maximize thermal efficiency and reliability of the low pressure turbine. The weight of equipment is 47 tones; height is 7 meters; diameter is 4 meters.

High Pressure Heaters with a length of more than 11 meters, that weigh 120 tones, pre-heat feedwater, delivered to a steam generator. The equipment is the one of the main elements of the turbine island, where the thermal energy is extracted from pressurized steam and converted into electrical energy.

The total weight of the equipment for KKNPP Unit 3 is more than 1000 tones. In total, there will be eight sets of Moisture Separator Reheaters and High Pressure Heaters.

Spare parts for the Reactor Coolant Pumps, manufactured by CDBMB (also a subsidiary of Atomenergomash) weigh 50 tones and include bearings, thrust rings and electromagnets. The Reactor Coolant Pumps are used to pump primary coolant (water) around the primary circuit to remove the heat generated in the reactor core.

The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is jointly constructed by Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). Atomenergomash is the supplier of the main equipment for the reactor and turbine islands. The design and construction works on the site are being performed by ASE Group of Companies, an engineering division of Rosatom.

writingonblog uncensored: Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Salem future engines...

writingonblog uncensored: Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Salem future engines...: Chennai:  Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy and Salem are the cities which will fuel the next phase of growth as the state government has li...

Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Salem future engines of growth for TN, says report

Chennai:

 Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy and Salem are the cities which will fuel the next phase of growth as the state government has lined up several projects to spae the future of these cities, according to a report by Jones Lang LaSalle, a global real estate firm.

The report ‘Advantage Tamil Nadu: Conquering beyond Boundaries’ which was released by Deputy Chief minister O Paneerselvam during STATECON, organized by Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI), the four cities stood out in terms of per capita income and score based on 12 key growth-related elements which were grouped in three main sun-indices which include socio-economic momentum, enhanced connectivity infrastructure and high value incubators.

The four emerging hotspots have shown the potential to emerge as business destinations backed by business friendly policies and connectivity with hubs like Chennai and Bengaluru resulting in growth of several industrial clusters.

The report stated that two industrial parks in Moperiplayam and Kallapalayam, developed by Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) with state government are expected to become operational before mid-2019 and Tamil Nadu Electronics Industries Association plan to establish electronic manufacturing cluster in Coimbatore will spur the real estate growth beyond the corporation limits of Neelambur and Vellalore.

Similarly, Madurai’s Vadapalanji IT Special Economic Zone which is set to become operational by end of 2018, and development of two industrial corridors(Madurai-Tuticorin and Madurai-Coimbatore) is expected to attract major business houses and create job opportunities. Similarly, the setting up of AIIMS will also make Madurai a major medical hub in South India.

“The major economic activity will continue to be tourism and agriculture but it is predicted that the upcoming industrial corridors will help to diversify and expand economic base of the city,” the report stated.

In Trichy, the defence corridor and and SIPCOT’s plan to set up 1,000 acre industrial estate near Manapparai is likely to open up new avenues for real estate development.

Similarly, Salem will thrive on its aerospace park and proposed 277km Chennai-Salem Expressway which will make the city attractive for investments. Mining, manufacturing and warehousing potential will support the city’s development, the report stated.

Factfile:

Coimbatore:

1.  Growth in residential real estate market is expected beyond the corporation limits like Neelambur and Vellalore

2.  Proposal ffor various flyovers to increase connectivity within the city

3.  Affordable projects announced in peripheral locations of Mettupalayam Road and Avinashi road.

4.  Warehousing set to gain traction

5.  Growth in hospitality industry with completion of upscale hotesl such as Vivanta by Taj, ITC Welcome etc

Madurai:

1.  Vadapalanji IT SEZ to be operational by 2018 end

2.  Opening up of AIIMs to make the city major medical hub

3.  Tow industrial corridors (Madurai-Tuticorin and Madurai-Coimbatore) to attract major business houses.

Trichy:

1.  Sipcot planning 1,00 acre industrial estate near Manapparai

2.  Upcoming ITC food processing unit and artificial diamond manufacturing unit in Viralimalai region

3.  City strategically located and connected to Chennai and Bengaluru and provides scope for industrial and manufacturing growth

Salem:

1.  Part of defence corridor and selected to become one of the smart cities

2.  TN promoting development of IT and IT enabled services industry with proposed IT park in the city

3.  Proposed 277km Chennai-Salem Expressway

4.  Aerospace Park located at Salem-Namakkal Road to attract increased investments

(Source: JLL)

writingonblog uncensored: Common Building Rules to govern development activi...

writingonblog uncensored: Common Building Rules to govern development activi...: Chennai Soon development in entire Tamil Nadu, including Greater Chennai, will be governed by a Common Building Rules, according to Dep...

Common Building Rules to govern development activities of Tamil Nadu

Chennai

Soon development in entire Tamil Nadu, including Greater Chennai, will be governed by a Common Building Rules, according to Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam.

Speaking after inaugurating STATECON 2018 conclave organised by Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI), the deputy chief minister said that the suggestions and observations are being sought against the draft common building rules and once the exercise is over it will be implemented.

Paneerselvam said that under the common building rules, buildings across the state will be divided into high rise buildings and non high rise buildings. The Common Building Rules will also have building norms for differently-abled, senior citizens and children, the minister said. 

It is learnt that the government is seeking a feedback from Confederation of Real Estate Developers Authority of India (CREDAI), Builders Association of India, Indian Institute of Architects and Association of Professional Town Planners.



Interestingly, Tamil Nadu government prepared the blueprint to frame ‘Tamil Nadu Common building Rules, 2016’ for local bodies in accordance with the provisions of the Model Building bye-laws.

The Common Building Rules for entire Tamil Nadu would mean that now there won’t be different set of development rules for corporations, municipalities, town panchayats and panchayats.

Now there will be 60 set of development rules which will govern the entire state. The new building rules also have several new clauses like the need to get Occupancy certificate and completion certificate.

As per the new rules, applicant or owner or power of attorney holder or registered developer and any other person who is acquiring interest shall not put the building to use without obtaining Occupancy Certificate from executive authority of local body or agency or person to whom this power has been delegated.

The draft rules also makes building permit granted under these rules valid for three years from the date of issue and the construction shall be completed within the same. However, it could be renewed on application made before the expiry date. The permit could be extended only once.

Interestingly, the state has drafted Common Building Rules in 1999. It was approved in 2000 but within six months it was scrapped. In 2004, the move to draft was started again and the draft was ready by 2009. However, it was not implemented.

In 2012, Madras High Court gave a order to consider a petition filed  by Association of Professional Town Planners (APTP) president K M Sadanand and to enact rules in four months but it was never done following which a contempt petition was filed.



Factfile:



1. The common building rules for Tamil Nadu is being drafted in accordance with the provisions of the Model Building bye-laws.

2. Building Bye-laws are legal tools used to regulate coverage, height, building bulk and architectural design and construction aspects of building to achieve orderly development of the area.

3. The Model Building Bye-laws prepared by Centre was updated keeping in view norms for rooftop solar photo voltaic installation, additional provisions in building regulations for natural hazard prone areas and conservation of heritage buildings

writingonblog uncensored: Change of Guard in Coast guard

writingonblog uncensored: Change of Guard in Coast guard: CHENNAI: Inspector General Paramesh Sivamani, took over the helm of Indian Coast Guard Region(East) from Inspector General Rajan Bargo...

Change of Guard in Coast guard

CHENNAI:

Inspector General Paramesh Sivamani, took over the helm of Indian Coast Guard Region(East) from Inspector General Rajan Bargotra in a ceremonial parade held at Coast Guard Air Station Chennai on Monday. On relinquishing command, Inspector General Rajan Bargotra is proceeding on permanent transfer to Kolkata as The Commander Coast Guard Region (North East) after a successful and eventful two years stint at Chennai. The new Regional Commander, Inspector General Sivamani, has served in various sea and shore appointments during the career-span of            29 years.  

The Flag Officer has served in various capacities at sea, the prominent amongst them being Command of Indian Coast Guard Ships Avvaiyar, Vishwast and Samar. The Flag Officer is a specialist in Navigation and Direction and holds a Master Degree in Defence Studies from Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. Inspector General Paramesh Sivamani is also an alumni of the prestigious National Defence College, Delhi and holds a M.Phil. from the Madras University in Defence and Strategic Studies. IG Paramesh Sivamani also served as Deputy Director General (Operations) at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi. 

writingonblog uncensored: AAI plans to hire consultants to tackle bird menac...

writingonblog uncensored: AAI plans to hire consultants to tackle bird menac...: C Shivakumar @ Chennai: Airport Authority of India is planning to hire consultants to tackle the bird hits in all Airport Authority of...

AAI plans to hire consultants to tackle bird menace across all airports

C Shivakumar @ Chennai:

Airport Authority of India is planning to hire consultants to tackle the bird hits in all Airport Authority of India operated airports as Chennai airport reported a bird hit again about 400 feet above.

Air India flight carrying 172 passengers, including crew, from Singapore to Chennai suffered a bird hit 400 feet above the ground damaging the nose of the aircraft.

An Airport Authority of India official told Express that the incident happened at 400 feet above and not in the airport premises.

“The nose of the aircraft or radome is damaged but the radar has not been affected,” an airport official told Express.

Radome or nose cone is found at the foremost point of an aircraft. The nose cone also houses radar and other instruments that might be used to detect meteorological phenomena or transmit communication signals.

Because they protect sensitive instruments while allowing electronic signals to pass through, nose cones – also known as radomes are made from specific materials like fiberglass, quartz, honeycomb and foam cores as well as various chemical resins.

Interestingly, the same aircraft, which was to fly again to Singapore, at 11.30am has now been grounded affecting the travel schedule of more than 150 passengers, who are likely to fly on Tuesday morning.

An Air India spokesman told Express that alternative arrangements are being made to fly the passengers to Singapore.

“We are making arrangements for a possible new aircraft which is proposed to fly the passengers to Singapore,” said the spokesman.

Airport Director G Chandramouli said that the nose of the aircraft has been repaired. He also said that measures are being taken to control bird menace. “Airport Authority of India headquarters will soon be appointing consultants to tackle the bird hits in Airport Authority of India operated airports. It will take into account the 5km radius as well as 5,000 feet,” said Chandramouli.

The director said that the initiative is likely to be taken up along with the local bodies. The bird menace is blamed on civic issues wherein sewer network from Pallavaram and Pozhichalur flow through the airport. The Indian Institute of technology has submitted a report of re-routing the sewers. But the water from the sewer and the canal that stagnate tend to attract the birds.

The move to study and provide measures for bird and animal hazard control management in operational area and surrounding area up to 10-km radius was initiated a couple of years ago. However, the consultant Vanamitra could not take up the contract as difference of opinion cropped up between Vanamitra and AAI and the project could not be taken up.

Factfile;

1.   More than 4,000 aircraft suffered wild life strikes in last five years (2012-2017)

2.   Air India aircraft suffered bird hit 400 feet above airspace

3.   More than 150 Singapore bound passengers travel itinerary hit as flight got cancelled.

4.   Airport Authority of India to hire consultants to tackle the bird hits in all Airport Authority of India operated airports

writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Metro Rail corridors set for vertical grow...

writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Metro Rail corridors set for vertical grow...: CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu government is planning vertical growth of Chennai as it plans to increase the floor space index, the ratio of land a...

Chennai Metro Rail corridors set for vertical growth

CHENNAI:

Tamil Nadu government is planning vertical growth of Chennai as it plans to increase the floor space index, the ratio of land area to built up space, along the Chennai Metro Rail corridor.

This was disclosed by Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam after inaugurating Statecon 2018 organised by Confederation of Real estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI).

His statement comes as the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is set to notify national Transit Oriented Development Policy and make it part of the master plan. 

TOD promotes densification in the influence area by providing higher Floor Area Ratio (FAR)/ Floor Space Index (FSI) and higher population and job density as compared to the area around and beyond the influence areas. To ensure sustainable development, the minimum FAR should be 300 - 500pc, and can be higher, depending on the city size. This will promote higher concentration of people within the walking distances of transit station, thereby increasing the ridership of the public transport and resulting in increased fare revenue, pollution and congestion reduction.

It is learnt that Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) has been battling with the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) for years to increase the Floor Space Index (FSI) where the Metro rail would ply. The current FSI stands at 1.5.

As per national TOD policy, the cities should fix a minimum percentage (30% or higher) of allowed FSI for affordable housing (for example up to 60 sq.mt. area) in all development/redevelopment in the influence zones.

Housing in the influence zone should have a mix of all economic groups. The development control regulation should stipulate housing for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) as well as low income or middle income groups, or other

types based on Census definition, in the influence area to give an opportunity to the people who depend on public transport for daily commuting to live in walkable neighborhoods.

writingonblog uncensored: TN to spend Rs 3,000 crore to revive MRTS with Che...

writingonblog uncensored: TN to spend Rs 3,000 crore to revive MRTS with Che...: C Shivakumar @ Chennai: If you are a MRTS traveler, there is good news for you.  The travel experience in the line is set to be redefin...

TN to spend Rs 3,000 crore to revive MRTS with Chennai Metro stations like ambience

C Shivakumar @ Chennai:

If you are a MRTS traveler, there is good news for you.  The travel experience in the line is set to be redefined as the loud noisy dull and drab coaches of suburban train is set to be replaced by Chennai Metro rail like coaches.

The state government will have to spend Rs 2,800 crore to Rs 3,100 crore to revive the dull and hollow platforms of Mass Rapid Transit System and putting in place new rolling stock and providing the ambience of Metro station, according to a final report prepared by the consultant to study the merger of MRTS with Chennai Metro.

The report is being submitted after the state government initiated the study to understand the feasibility and framework of integrating MRTS with Chennai Metro, the initial phase which was opened in July 2015. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Balaji Railroad Systems carried out the study and two interim reports and a draft final report was already submitted.

Metro Rail sources told Express that the upgraded metro system post merger of MRTS with Chennai Metro will cost Rs 2,800 crore in two year period if the ballasted tracks are retained and Rs 3,100 crore if the ballasted tracks are converted.

Interestingly, the submission of the report paves the way for preparation of Detailed Project Report for the merger of MRTS with Chennai Metro.

The MRTS currently utilises conventional broad gauge EMU rolling stock that is shared with other suburban lines. Given the incompatibility of this rolling stock with metro standards like absence of low floors for step free access, automatic train control systems and air conditioning, the state government and Chennai Metro Rail have indicated new metro-standard rolling stock will be procured for MRTS.

Interestingly, there was a line of thought to have interoperability of services across Metro and suburban section. Though the proposal was technically feasible, it was decided against it due to challenges in terms of operation, safety, personnel and service issues.

Meanwhile three new platforms for MRTS south of existing Southern Railway platforms will be constructed to serve as a new terminus for MRTS. It will also have a common transit concourse between MRTS and Southern railway platforms. A new building over MRTS station is also being mooted to house ancillary equipment and a primary concourse for originating and terminating passengers accessing the station from Rajaji Salai.

But will the merger be financially viable one? It is learnt a financial assessment was carried out and it was found the services were running with subsidized fares leading to a fiscal deficit. And the minimal fare increase in MRTS may still result in financial losses, says the report.

The report also highlights the assets like all private and Central government land will be taken over and treated as state government land. However, no rolling stock will be taken over as decision was made to procure metro standard rolling stock.

Factfile:

1.  The new Metro-standard rolling stock will be procured for MRTS.

2.   Three new platforms for MRTS south of existing Southern Railway platforms will be constructed to serve as a new terminus for MRTS

3.  The total investment in upgradation of MRTS to Metro standards would be around Rs 2,800 crore to Rs 3,100 crore

Cuddalore-Perungudi rail link to be hit if Metro merges with MRTS

C Shivakumar @ Chennai:

Southern Railways proposed Chennai-Cuddalore rail link from Perungudi may be shifted to Chengalpet once Chennai Metro Rail and Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) get merged, according to official sources.

Sources said that Southern Railways had a proposal for Chennai-Cuddalore rail link from Perungudi along the East Coast which will pass through Mamallapuram and Puducherry a decade ago. However, the Rs 1200 crore project for the 179km rail line, which is currently gaining prominence, is likely to be hit and may shift from Perungudi to Chengalpet, sources added.

“If MRTS operation is handed to over to CMRL than the starting point may shift to Chengalpet instead of Perungudi,” sources added.

Meanwhile, consultants have been asked to study the value of lands and assets and nomination of share between Metro rail and Railways and between state government and Union government prior to merger.

The proposed study by consultants will also study whether Union Ministry of Urban Development will be acquiring Railways stake in MRTS or will it be Tamil Nadu government.

Metro Rail sources indicated that there was a suggestion to have Union Ministry of Urban Development as one of the stake holders as it could result in communication between both Union government departments over acquiring the stake in Ministry of Railways.

Currently, the state government wants stakeholder inclusiveness as such it has sought to appoint nodal officers from four line departments including Southern Railways and Chennai Metro Rail. “This will help in completing the study on time as it will provide support to the study team,” sources added.

It is also learnt that the consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers and Barsyl have been asked to make projections on the revenue after takeover based on previous data. They will also be looking into the operational issues like merger, transfer, takeover while keeping in view the seamless transfer for commuters, especially at interchange points.

Beach, one of the oldest stations in the suburban rail network, will be bifurcated after the merger, for which assets of Southern Railway and MRTS are being identified to be handed over, Railway sources said.

Sources said that consultants have been instructed to review pros and cons of interoperability and operational issues between MRTS and suburban network post-merger especially between Beach and Port stations based on traffic potential.

Sources told Express that the initial plan was to develop Fort suburban station as the terminus for MRTS services. However, that idea was dropped as Fort did not have adequate land to develop the required infrastructure.

Furthermore, Beach station, which came into existence in 1931, has the land required for developing it as the commercial and operational terminus for MRTS.     

Factfile:

1.  Chennai Metro-MRTS merger will hit Southern Railways plan for Chennai Perungudi-Cuddalore Link

2.  The project will start from Chengalpet once the merger happens

3.  Valuation of under-construction Velachery-St Thomas Mount section may be completed by Southern railway and handed over to CMRL

writingonblog uncensored: Officials drown Chennai to protect private patta ...

writingonblog uncensored: Officials drown Chennai to protect private patta ...: Chennai: Chennai downed in 2015 due to release of 29,000 cusecs of water without abiding by Central water Commission norms as Water Re...

Officials drown Chennai to protect private patta land, says CAG report

Chennai:

Chennai downed in 2015 due to release of 29,000 cusecs of water without abiding by Central water Commission norms as Water Resources Department wanted to protect a private patta land in the water spread area from getting submerged, according to a Comptroller and Auditor General of India report.

According to Compendium of Rules for Regulated Tanks, WRD should store water at the Full Reservoir level in December and it does not allow presence of private patta land inside water spread area.

“The patta land was required to be acquired for ensuring storage of water till the full capacity of reservoir. It was observed that the full tank capacity of Chembarambakkam was 3.645 TMC at a storage depth of 24ft. However, the same was not achieved on December 1 and December 2 as water was stored only up to a maximum of 3.481TMC leaving 0.164 TMC of remaining capacity unutilized to protect protect possible submergence of patta land on foreshore area which was in absolute violation to Compendium of Rule and regulations,” the report said.

“The state government has stated on May 2017 that considering the cost of acquisition of patta land, a proposal to enhance the bunds in the foreshore of the tank was in pipeline. However, the documentary evidence was not available for audit,” the report states.

“Had WRD acquired the patta land, the storage capacity could have been maintained to its fullest and magnitude of flooding could have been reduced as more water could be stored in the reservoir,” the report added.

WRD sources said that if the government had acquired the land, then the reservoir could have been deepened and floods could have been avoided.

The report also said that scrutiny of periodical Inspection report on safety of Chembarambakkam Dam conducted and submitted to Dam Safety Directorate revealed that wireless communication facility was not functioning for more than six months prior to Chennai floods in 2015 highlighting WRD did not possess adequate emergency preparedness plan as envisaged in the Dam safety Procedure.

The report also castigated WRD for failing to assess the areas prone to floods, flooded areas, damages to property and lives from the period 2012-16 and furnishing it to Central Water Commission (CWC) as recommended by Nationbal Flood Commission.  As a result, WRD did not have comprehensive plan for flood prevention measures such as construction of revetments, spurs and embankments and CWC was not facilitated to scientifically issue flood forecasts.

What the report said;

1.  The indiscriminate release of water was done to protect private patta land.

2.  This was a serious failure in operation of reservoir and it contributed to Chennai floods

3.  The discharge of 29,000 cusecs of water for 21 hours coupled with surplus water in upstream tanks and catchments caused huge disaster for Chennai

4.  The state lacked a law on Flood Plain Zone and an updated Water Policy to protect natural waterways

5.  Though Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Building Rules, 1972 had envisaged for maintaining 15m buffer zones from margin of waterways, the Second master Plan of CMDA failed to demarcate flood plain zones to regulate construction along waterways.

6.  Failure of WRD to create two new reservoirs in  upstream of Chembarambakkam tank as recommended by Nucleus cell for flood mitigation

7.   Encroachment of tank, lakes and river beds played a major role in causing floods

writingonblog uncensored: TN amends Town and Country Planning Act to make pr...

writingonblog uncensored: TN amends Town and Country Planning Act to make pr...: Chennai: Tamil Nadu government amended Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act by introducing additional provision for Transferrabl...

TN amends Town and Country Planning Act to make provision for TDR

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu government amended Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act by introducing additional provision for Transferrable Development Rights (TDRs) to make it legally binding.

The state government amended Section 35 of the Act where in the clause pertaining to Transfer of Development Rights was included. Initially, the government had framed rules for implementing TDR but it did not have statutory backing.

Transferrable Development Rights (TDRs) allow governments to acquire land in exchange for development rights. These rights allow for properties or land to be developed in other areas of the city and those having TDRs can use the rights themselves or sell it to developers.

Since the state did not have legal backing for the sale of TDRs, the amendment in the Act could facilitate cheap and rapid land acquisition for the government while redirecting development to other to other under-developed areas of the cities or important urban goals like affordable housing.

The move to amend the Act comes after Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) is wooing real estate developers to market 20,520 square metre of special transferrable development rights to build homes.

Under the slum clearance board scheme, TNSCB will identify private developer to provide alternate accommodation to slum dwellers proposed to be evicted through a bidding process and enter into an agreement with private developer for the provision of alternate accommodation to slum beneficiaries.

The developer who has obtained the special TDR may utilise it himself or transfer it after getting clearance from Member Secretary of Chennai Metropolitan Development authority.

TDR, which first emerged as a policy in United States in the 1960s, was implemented in the state by creating a separate TDR division in Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. However, without legal backing and infrastructure and a common platform to trade TDRs, it had few takers forcing to the government to rethink on the feasibility of having a separate TDR department in CMDA.

Factfile:

1. Transferable development Right first emerged as a policy in the US in 1960s. It was used to preserve certain parts of city which had historic buildings

2. In India, TDR was dirst implemented in Mumbai in 1991 to acquire land for public amenities like gardens and roads.

3. Between 1991-2004, more than 21,00000 square metre of land was surrendered through TDR in MUmbai for road development and slum redevelopment

4. In Bangalore, TDR was initated in 2005 to help government with large scale infrastructure projects

5. Transferrable Development Rights was issued in Second Master plan and it has few takers in Chennai. It is learnt it is due to lack of mechanism of trade and price discovery as Chennai is not a active TDR market

writingonblog uncensored: Ceat Tyres sign MoU to set up Rs 4,000 cr Tyre man...

writingonblog uncensored: Ceat Tyres sign MoU to set up Rs 4,000 cr Tyre man...: CHENNAI: Ceat Tyres has officialy signed a memorandum of understanding with Tamil Nadu government to set up a Rs 4,000 crore tyre manuf...

writingonblog uncensored: TN civil supplies official quizzed as Income Tax d...

writingonblog uncensored: TN civil supplies official quizzed as Income Tax d...: CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Department managing director M Sudha Devi is being quizzed by Income Tax department after a fir...

TN civil supplies official quizzed as Income Tax dept raids firm supplying nutrition to school children

CHENNAI:

Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Department managing director M Sudha Devi is being quizzed by Income Tax department after a firm which supplies nutritious food to 563 Aanganwadis in the state was under scanner for tax evasion.

A top income tax official said that managing director of state civil supplies department was quizzed for links as raids were carried out at 53 premises of Christy Friedgrams Industry, which is said to be one of the first companies in India to propagate Integrated Child Development Scheme, for tax evasion and floating large number of shell companies.

“There were no raids at her premises in All India Service quarters located at Nerkundram. It was only investigation,” said the official.

Besides Christy, officials are also conducting raids at 17 premises belonging to Agni Estates as it was found that the real estate firm had common transactions with Christy and had floated shell companies.

Overall 70 premises across the state belonging to Christy and Agni Estates were raided of which 40 were located in Chennai. Raids were also conducted in Tiruchengode in Namakkal district, Coimbatore and Nammakal.

The Tiruchengode based company, which claims to serve 563 Aanganwadis in Tamil Nadu and providing nutritious food, including eggs and pulses, to two lakh children in the state had been in scanner of income tax department since 2016.

The officials said that raids are also being carried out in three places in Karnataka, which includes Nelamangala, Davangere and Gulbarga. Interestingly, the firm had courted controversy in 2012 over its agreement with Karnataka’s Women and Child department which was later cancelled for supplying substandard food to anganwadis under the Integrated Child Development Scheme.

The Central government spends close to Rs 10,000 crore every year on food supply under ICDS. The apex court had prohibited involvement of private contractors in procurement of food for children and women under ICDS. It ordered that ICDS funds be spent on village communities and self-help groups (SHGs) for buying grains and preparing meals.

Ceat Tyres sign MoU to set up Rs 4,000 cr Tyre manufacturing plant in Kancheepuram

CHENNAI:

Ceat Tyres has officialy signed a memorandum of understanding with Tamil Nadu government to set up a Rs 4,000 crore tyre manufacturing company to manufacture tyres and allied products at Maduramangalam village near the industrial hub of Kanchipuram.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami by Industries secretary K Gnanadesikan and Anant Goenka, Managing Director of CEAT. This comes in the wake of the state cabinet giving its nod for setting up the plant last week.

The investment will spread over the next 10 years and will give direct employment to around 1,000 people, a government release said.

The state government release said that the state government is working towards making Tamil nadu ‘Numero Uno’ state in industries sector.

The investment comes in the wake of Tamil Nadu government planning to hosti the second edition of Global Investors Meet from January 23-24 next year and a sum of Rs 75 crore has already been allocated by Chief

Minister Edapaddi Palaniswami to conduct the event. Sources indicated that the state may be targeting an investment of Rs 3 lakh crore. The first edition of Global Investors Meet was held on September 9, 2015, where in more than 800 global and domestic business delegates took part.

It attracted more than 2.42 lakh crore worth of investment and a total of 98 memorandum of understanding was signed. However, till now, the state had got a commitment of Rs 62,738 crore worth of investment.