The Singapore river clean-up provides a model for Chennai to consider in its Cooum restoration project.
The overburdened river that had been heavily polluted by industries, factories, squatters, hawkers and markets since Singapore's colonial days has now been transformed into a bustling waterway with commercial development.
Facing similar problems with the Cooum, Chennai has turned to Singapore to learn from her success. A systematic, heavy-handed, and multi-stage action plan was carried out by the Singapore government, a massive project involving 11 government agencies with the Ministry of Environment coordinating the effort.
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Relocation of the squatters and hawkers was the first step says Professor Chou Loke Ming of the National University of Singapore. The plan started off with the construction of sewer lines, housing, industrial workshops and shops for hawkers. Eventually, more than 26,000 families and 2,800 backyard and cottage industries were resettled.
Lim Wee Tee, whose family was made to move in the 1970s, says, “We were paid $12 000, which was a pretty big amount then.” In addition, the government built housing for the poor. Lim added, “When the relocation started, there were already alternative industries. You should first provide alternative employment, accommodation.”
The Environment Ministry dredged and fully cleaned the river, removing more than 269 tonnes of rubbish. Professor Chou said, “What is required is an integrated management framework and a strong political will.”
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Naina Shah, vice-president of Exnora International in Chennai, said slums contributed a very small amount of the pollution in the river. Industrial waste and in some cases even government agencies were letting out untreated sewage into the river, she added.
The Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust (CRRT) has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE). SCE will present a master plan and provide technical assistance to Chennai.
According to an SCE spokesperson, the project is already in Phase 1 and the report would be completed soon.