THOOTHUKUDI
The Corporation has unravelled its plans for the new projects going to be executed on an outlay of ₹ 989.87 crore under the ‘Smart City’ project over the next five years.
In a function here on Saturday, Minister for Information and Publicity Kadambur C. Raju started the works on these projects in the presence of Collector Sandeep Nanduri, Corporation Commissioner Alby John Varghese, MP Jayasingh Thiyagaraj Nattarji and MLA Geetha Jeevan.
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The Corporation, which is maintaining 193.95 km-long drainage channels under its jurisdiction, will construct storm water draining structures along Meelavittaan Road, S.V. Kulam, Mullakkaadu, Kaalaankarai Odai and Sengulam to Uppar Odai on an outlay of ₹ 175.68 crore to avert flooding during rainy season, besides constructing similar structures within the city wherever it is required at the cost of ₹ 77.36 crore.
The parks at Dhanasekaran Nagar, Muththammal Colony, TNHB Colony I and II, St. Mary’s Colony, WGC Road Nallaperumal Park, VVD Overhead Tank park, Lions Town 5th Street park will be renovated on an outlay of ₹ 4.06 crore.
“We’ve planned to provide solar roof to the Corporation’s administrative office at the cost of ₹ 1.55 crore which will save 45% power for us. Moreover, LED lights will be fitted along the roads between Ettaiyapuram Road and New bus stand, VVD Signal and Third Mile and Muthaiahpuram and Sivanthakulam Road on an outlay of ₹ 4.75 crore,” says Dr. Varghese.
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As the Corporation has completed more than 90% work of the underground drainage scheme, the urban civic body will now start the work on 28 MLD sewerage treatment plant to be constructed at the garbage dump near Tharuvaikulam.
As the old bus-stand of the port town cannot match the population growth, the existing bus terminus will be expanded by acquiring the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation workshop on the northern side and rebuilt as a four-tier bus stand at the cost of ₹ 53.40 crore.
The nauseating 7.28 km-long Puckle Channel, now carrying domestic sewage from FCI Godown at Third Mile to the enter the sea near Terespuram, will be provided with three sewerage treatment plants which will recycle the water to be used for watering the greenery, trees and the lawns to be created along the channel since the Corporation has planned to provide a walkers’ path along the channel.
Separate ducts will be provided along the channel for laying power and telecommunication cables. “We’ve earmarked ₹ 78.88 crore for this project,” said Dr. Varghese.
The Corporation schools at Samuelpuram, Tooveypuram, Gin Factory Road, North Bathrakaliamman Temple Street will be provided with new buildings, computer labs, science laboratories on an outlay of ₹ 8.29 crore and 22 anganvadis under the Corporation’s jurisdiction will get refreshing coat of paints, new separate seats and furniture.
“These children will be taught to use tablets for their basic education,” he said.
In the first phase, the Corporation has planned to upgrade five roads – VVD Road, Balavinayagar Temple Road, Boltenpuram Road, Victory Road and Jayaraj Road – with vehicle parking bays and ducts for power and telecommunication cables at the cost of ₹ 65.50 crore.
The Fourth Railway Gate on the Meelavittaan Road – VVD Signal Road will get a rail overbridge to effectively deal with the perennial traffic congestion and ring road around the city will be provided under the Smart City programme. Truck terminal to handle lorries coming to the city will come up on Tiruchendur – Madurai Highway bypass road, Mr. Varghese said.