This Independence Day, Chennai Corporation rewarded officials who introduced innovations in civic projects. So far, out-of-the-box ideas in policy implementation of civic projects have been frowned upon by the bureaucracy. Six officials of the Corporation received ‘Best Innovation Award-2014’ from Mayor Saidai Duraisamy at Ripon Buildings on Friday.
An executive engineer S. Natarajan, who received the award, was instrumental in the saving of Rs. 63,000 for an Amma Canteen on a monthly basis. He designed and commissioned a waste-to-energy system from kitchen waste to run the Amma Canteen in ward 67.
“It is just a result of thinking differently. The project offers an opportunity to completely replace LPG with methane gas from kitchen waste for canteens,” said Mr. Natarajan, who has specialised in environmental engineering. “Such projects will contribute to sustainable development in the city,” he said.
Residents in Amirthammal Colony in Agaram segregate waste for the project. In addition, waste generated from a market complex and a number of hotels is also used.
Assistant commissioner C. Vijayakumar, who had come up with an innovative design for a rainwater harvesting structure with a better designed collection chamber, was one of the three recipients among assistant commissioners.
“The design will facilitate high rate of percolation, improve rate of recharge and prevent clogging. The structure will be more durable,” said Mr. Vijayakumar.
“We are also planning to tackle recurrent episodes of inundation on stretches such as Arcot Road using such a design with a better network of stormwater drains,” he added.
Assistant commissioner Rajendran of Zone VII, executive engineer Sampath Kumar, assistant commissioner Mahesan of zone XII and executive engineer Murali also received the award for their contribution to improve civic projects and services with “out-of-the-box ideas.”
Their innovative ideas include redesign of tricycles for waste collection, facilities for acupressure in parks and work on reducing pollution near Athipet dumpyard.
