NGO accuses Greater Chennai Corporation of corruption
Arappor Iyakkam, an anti-corruption NGO, has alleged that a decision by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to build a community hall instead of renovating a Corporation Middle School in Ward 114 Chepauk involved corruption.
The school in Ward 114 was supposed to undergo repairs and renovation, according to parents and teachers. Therefore the students were shifted to a nearby GCC school which did not have enough space to accommodate more students.
The stakeholders believed that the arrangement would be temporary and the students will be shifted to their school when the work on the building has been completed.
However, the civic body has proceeded to pass a resolution to construct a current community hall instead of a school in the 8000 sq.ft space. This has led to protests by parents and students who allege that corruption is behind the move.
Source: DT Next
Read more: Inadequate infrastructure and lack of personnel affect learning in Corporation schools in Chennai
Improper disposal of debris waste in Chennai to attract fines
Owners of properties who do not dispose of construction debris will be fined Rs. 20 lakhs or above, according to the Greater Chennai Corporation. The owners must dispose of the debris at their personal cost and cannot dump it in empty spaces in the city. Debris must be stored within the boundaries of the property prior to its disposal.
There are around 40 designated spots identified by the civic body where debris can be dumped. A private contractor has been roped in to collect the debris waste from those identified spots and send the waste to Perungudi and Kodungaiyur for processing.
GCC pays the contractor Rs. 1000 per ton of debris. Every year, GCC approves the demolition and construction of up to 4000 houses. Also, 500 tons of debris are generated in Chennai per day.
Source: The Hindu
CMDA to roll out North Chennai development work
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has started working on amping up basic infrastructure like playgrounds and entertainment amenities in addition to works related to the waterfront development in North Chennai.
Officials from CMDA and GCC visited some spots across North Chennai and are considering the creation of marriage halls, playgrounds, water and sewer infrastructure, cycling tracks, and beach development initiatives among other works.
Activists and residents want better medical facilities, employment opportunities, parking facilities and a better public transport network in North Chennai.
Source: The Times of India
Read more: Citizen’s audit highlights issues with flyovers and underpasses in North Chennai
Cyclone Mocha to cause cloudy and hot days in Chennai
Cyclone Mocha is predicted to cause cloudiness, sultry conditions and a temperature dip in the next few days in Chennai. Due to the altitude of the clouds being at 10,000 to 25,000 feet, there will not be any rainfall, say meteorologists.
Maximum temperatures will range from 36-37 deg C and minimum temperatures will be around 28 deg C. After a few days, the cyclone will take away the moisture in the atmosphere in Chennai, leading to more hot and dry winds in the city as the cyclone moves northward towards Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Source: The Times of India
New suburban railway station in Kilambakkam
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has given the nod to build a new suburban railway station in Kilambakkam to make travelling to the new bus terminus seamless. Around Rs. 20 crores will be spent on the project, say officials. Rs. 4 lakhs will be earmarked initially for the railway station.
A skywalk will also be built to connect the Kilambakkam bus stand and the new railway station. CMDA is planning to inaugurate the bus stand in June 2023. The government is planning to name the bus stop after the late former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
Source: DT Next
[Compiled by Padmaja Jayaraman]
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