The new bridge across the Uyyakondan canal on the recently opened inner-link road between Anna Nagar and Cantonment has thrown up a new amusement opportunity for kids of the locality. Many kids who bathe regularly at the canal could be seen using the bridge as a diving board to jump into the canal. The kids jump from the parapet and spend hours together in merriment as the canal runs to its brim these days. However, many passers-by express concern over the safety of the children. Once the bridge is opened for two-way traffic fully, it would be unsafe for them to climb over the parapet. Many kids and youth also throng the Puthur Weir, a couple of km upstream, as the area offers a scenic location for a refreshing bath on the ‘mini waterfalls’ on the Kudamuritti river.
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A series of tourism promotion initiatives has been implemented in Thanjavur district in the past few months. Strengthening the existing tourism infrastructure and improving new ones are the main objective of the programme.
The beautification of Periyakottai Agazhi has been one of the important programmes being implemented. However, mosquito breeding has been a major problem in the area. With a view to keep the waters free of pollution, fingerlings were let out into the moat. “The gambusia fingerlings used are capable of eliminating mosquito menace,” N. Subbaiyan, Collector, said.
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Renovation of Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple has been progressing fast at various places on the temple premises. The accumulation of sand over several decades had reduced the height of several pillars at the temple, and the renovation is helping temple authorities to clear them and beautify the floors . “The 100-pillar mandapam lacked adequate amenities. Similar is the condition at the shrine of Sri Pillailokachariar where the accumulated earth was being cleared to be covered with stone slabs,” the temple authorities said. “The selection of the right kind of stone that could withstand sun’s rays and provide comfort to the devotees and pilgrims was currently under progress,” official sources said.
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The Tiruchi city police’s move to make use of the messaging tool Whatsapp to connect with the public and receive information from them has taken off on a brisk note. Ever since the Whatsapp facility was launched a couple of days ago, information has been pouring in from the members of the public. While some of them were congratulatory messages for the service, others were complaints on a host of issues. Information and complaints pertaining to neighbouring districts received through the service were forwarded to the respective district police authorities. Every message gets a prompt reply with the name and contact number of the police officer concerned to whom the messenger should get in touch with, police officials said.
