A cross section of the farmers’ representatives of the district has urged the Public Works Department to ensure that Uyyakondan canal was protected from urban pollution by utilising the funds grant

Collector wells of the scheme energised on Thursday

All the three collector wells on the Coleroon river and the common sump of the Rs.221.42-crore new drinking water augmentation scheme were energised on Thursday, paving the way for supply of water from the scheme by this month end ahead of the peak summer season. Describing it as an important step forward in the project, corporation officials said they were on course now to meet the assurance given earlier that pumping of water from the scheme would begin by March 31.

To invite private participation in the maintenance of streetlights; to install energy saving devices through private partner

In an ambitious initiative to improve energy efficiency and cut down on its power bill, Tiruchi Corporation has planned to replace all tube lights used for street lighting with light emitting diode (LED) lamps in the city. The corporation has also planned to invite private participation in the maintenance of the streetlights across the city.

Only 5,500 units have complied with the requirement so far

Even as the February 4 deadline for food business units to register themselves under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 is fast approaching, just about 5,500 units have complied with the requirement in the district so far. According to estimates, about 14,000 units are engaged in the food sector in the district. Of these, about 4,000 would require licence and the rest would have to be registered.

Solar-powered facility on the lines of one installed in New Delhi

Even as the corporation is all set to take up a project to refurbish bus shelters across the city with private participation, Tiruchi MP P.Kumar, AIADMK, has sanctioned Rs.83.50 lakh for erecting 16 solar-powered modern bus shelters in the city. The modern bus shelters would be on the lines of the one installed in New Delhi and fitted with solar panels for lighting and come with a mobile phone charger, Mr.Kumar told The Hindu over phone.

Tiruchi Corporation has planned to frame by-laws to check over exploitation of ground water by private agencies supplying water in bulk in the city.

The move comes in the wake of some complaints of over exploitation of ground water by some private agencies using huge borewells without due approval from the civic body. An official resolution on the subject would be tabled at the corporation council meeting for its approval. According to corporation sources, use of ground water for purposes other than household consumption would require the approval of the civic body.

Plans to appoint a consultant to prepare a project report

In what could be a far-reaching and ambitious move, Tiruchi Corporation is considering the feasibility of extending round-the-clock drinking water supply in the city. Initially, the move is likely to be implemented on a pilot basis in select areas of the city. As a first step in this direction, the corporation has planned to appoint a consultant to study and prepare a feasibility report on providing 24/7 water supply on international standards, corporation sources told The Hindu . The consultant would also identify the areas where the system could be implemented.

PWD had refurbished 15 shutters last year at a cost of Rs.2 cr.

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs.4.27 crore for repairing damaged shutters at the barrage across the Cauvery River at Upper Anicut (Mukkombu) near Tiruchi. Last year, the Public Works Department refurbished 15 of the 41 shutters on the barrage at a cost of Rs.2 crore, also sanctioned by the NABARD. The department had sought more funds for repairing the remaining shutters at an estimated cost of Rs.4.50 crore in the second phase.

British High Commission-supported project to promote use of renewable energy

The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), an international organisation offering technical consultation, training, and information services for capacity building and support to local governments in the implementation of sustainable development will soon come out with an action plan to reduce carbon emissions in the city.

Civic body remains mute spectator to wanton pollution at tollgate junction

The tollgate junction near the Coleroon river, the gateway to the city from the northern side, is fast turning into an eyesore owing to indiscriminate dumping of garbage by commercial establishments on the roadsides.