Chennai: The Buckingham Canal, Adyar River and Cooum River in the city will soon be restored and appropriate steps would be taken to prevent the mixing of sewage. According to Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami the State government will spend Rs. 2,371 crore to restore the rivers.
“Recycling of sewage water and using it was part of Vision 2023 announced by former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa…A detailed project report has been prepared to prevent the flow of sewage into the Cooum and Adyar rivers, Buckingham Canal and connecting drains by providing interceptions and diversions, sewerage treatment plants, pumping stations and strengthening and restoring the existing sewerage infrastructure,” Mr. Palaniswami said on Thursday.
Making a statement under rule 110 in the Assembly the Chief Minister said the programme would be implemented for a period of four years from this year. The eco-restoration of Adyar and Cooum rivers are currently underway through the Chennai River Restoration Trust.
Mr. Palaniswami informed that the State government would evolve a comprehensive policy to confront the challenges and prevent pollution of water bodies, reuse treated sewage to industrial and other uses besides identify the grid for reuse pipelines. A detailed project report would be prepared to increase the groundwater table and to find lasting solution to augment the water sources, besides reuse 260 million litres of sewage after a thorough tertiary treatment for alternate use. Similar project reports would be evolved for Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Salem and Tiruchi corporations, he added.
Anganwadi centres to be renovated: About 1,133 anganwadi centre would be renovated at a cost of Rs 2 lakh each and totally about Rs. 22.66 crore will be spent,” Mr. Palaniswami said.
“In addition, anganwadis will get first-aid boxes at a cost of Rs 7.35 crore and Rs 8.63 crore will be spent for purchasing cooking utensils for 5,970 midday meal centres,” the CM said. Also, about Rs 4.96 crore would be spent to establish vegetable gardens for 9,915 nutritious meal centres.
