₹93.5 crore flood work set to begin along Madurai's Panthalkudi Channel
The project includes constructing reinforced cement concrete (RCC) retaining walls on both sides of the canal and upgrading existing culverts to improve water flow and prevent breaches during heavy rainfall.
WRD officials said tenders will be floated this week, and a government order is expected soon. Of the total cost, ₹63.5 crore has been earmarked for the retaining walls along Panthalkudi, and ₹6.9 crore for revamping six existing culverts.
Additional flood protection measures are also planned for Eachan Oadai near Mattuthavani and low-lying areas in Uthangudi, which were flooded during last year's rains.
The Panthalkudi channel, which carries overflow from the Sellur tank to the Vaigai, is one of the city's oldest and most vital water channels. However, unchecked sewage discharge and garbage dumping have turned it into an open drain. "The stench is unbearable, and the canal overflows onto the streets during rains," said M Saravanan, a Sellur resident.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Official IQ Test: What is Your IQ? | Answer 30 Questions to Find Out
IQ International
Undo
"Sewage from several wards enters the canal. What's the point of underground drainage if it doesn't work?" he added.
Chief minister M K Stalin had inspected the channel on May 31 and directed civic officials to expedite the restoration. But delays have sparked public concern ahead of the northeast monsoon.
"This isn't just an infrastructure issue — it's a matter of public health and safety. The work must start immediately before the next round of rains," said M Sankara Pandian, a civic activist from Sellur.
MSID:: 122936201 413 |
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
PMC set to extend garbage lifting during night hours to more areas in city
1 2 Pune: Almost a month after initiating steps to clear garbage from market areas during night hours, the civic administration has expanded the initiative to more pockets of the city to improve the handling of daily waste. Currently, civic teams collect approximately 250 tonnes of waste at night. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has deployed 1,400 staffers and more than 200 vehicles for night cleaning activities. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Clearing of waste during night hours started on a large scale after civic chief Naval Kishore Ram last month held inspection drives across the city, where he found that garbage was not cleared properly in the early morning hours. Sandip Kadam, head of PMC's solid waste management department, said, "We started lifting garbage at night from the market areas last month. The drive has been extended to more areas as well. So far, the drive has generated positive results, and citizens can see cleaner roads in the morning." Residents have welcomed the night cleaning drive, however, they want the civic body to ensure the initiative continues. Vishal Kale, a resident of the Mandai area, said, "The presence of cleaning staff has increased, but dumping of waste in open areas continues. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo We want the administration to target these locations and impose fines on those involved in throwing waste illegally." A civic official said, "Vendors and food stall owners are not segregating waste, and the quantity of mixed garbage is significant. Steps are being planned to collect the dry and wet waste separately." Meanwhile, the administration has reported some instances of attacks by unidentified people on the staff involved in garbage cleaning during night hours. Civic officials have approached the city police to ensure security for the staff as required. The city generates around 2,500 tonnes of waste every day. Inspection of commercial establishments for waste segregation The civic body will start the inspection of shops, vendors, and commercial establishments from next week to check if they are maintaining separate dustbins to collect wet and dry waste. The teams will issue on-the-spot notices to establishments for not meeting waste collection norms. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Jalgaon ZP to monitor midday meals in schools using geo-based photo verification
Nashik: Meenal Karanwal, Jalgaon zilla parishad's chief executive officer, has planned a direct monitoring system for the midday meals provided to students. Karanwal has decided to experiment by requesting school headmasters to submit photographs of the meals, along with geo-tagging used by authorities for other purposes. "To ensure the students get good food on time and also see what is being served to them through the midday meals, we have decided to form groups on social media on which only geo-tagged photographs of the food served to the children will be shared," said CEO Meenal Karanwal. A senior officer of the zilla parishad said the objective is to monitor the food provided to students on specific dates and verify compliance with state govt menu for midday meals. The scheme offers free lunches to students enrolled in govt or govt-aided schools across the state, aiming to increase school attendance and ensure a nutritious diet is consumed to prevent malnutrition. The officer said there have been complaints about missing food components or the provision of stale food, among other issues. With over 1,800 schools, they have been organised into clusters and further grouped into talukas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "The headmasters will provide the photograph with a caption of the ingredients in meals and the number of students served the food, which will be considered on record, and surprise visits will also be conducted to ensure the photographs tally with the ground reality," the officer added. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
10K+ open wells to be covered under CAMPA plan to protect wild animals
Raipur: The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Chhattisgarh, has issued a circular to all Chief Conservators of Forests (CCFs), including those overseeing wildlife and tiger reserves, to cover open wells near forest areas. The move aims to prevent wild animals from accidentally falling into the wells. As per the directive, 40% of the CAMPA Annual Plan of Operations (APO) for 2025–26, allocated for this purpose, will be used to cover over 10,000 open wells across the state. This initiative will significantly improve the safety of animals in vulnerable regions. CEO of CAMPA instructed officials to prepare a detailed report on the proposed work and obtain technical and administrative approval. The CEO also stated that any amount spent beyond the prescribed limit would not be approved. The circular further clarifies that work should not be done on disused wells. Instead, these wells should be filled up with the support of local villagers, without using CAMPA funds. According to the report, 1,068 wells were identified for covering at an estimated cost of Rs 345.22 lakh. In the Surguja forest circle, 258 open wells were marked across five forest divisions: Korea (57), Manendragarh (30), Surguja (57), Jashpur (57), and Sarguja (57). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Similarly, 228 open wells were marked in the Bilaspur circle across four forest divisions: Dharamjaigarh (57), Katghora (57), Raigarh (57), and Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (57). In the Raipur circle, 171 open wells were marked in three forest divisions: Gariaband (57), Baloda Bazar (57), and Mahasamund (57). The Kanker circle identified 126 open wells in three divisions: Kanker (57), West Bhanupratappur, and South Kondagaon (12). Additionally, 57 open wells in the Bastar division under the Jagdalpur circle will be covered. The list also includes 57 wells in the Balod division under the Durg circle, 57 in the Kanger Valley National Park, 57 in the Gomarda Sanctuary, and 57 in the Barnawapara Sanctuary. Elaborating on the provision for utilising 40% of the interest amount, a senior forest officer explained that when a company undertakes mining activities, it is required to deposit a certain amount into the CAMPA fund maintained by the central govt. Forty percent of the interest accrued on this deposited amount is earmarked for specific activities such as wildlife safety. An amount of up to Rs 18.43 lakh was approved for each forest division to cover open wells under this initiative. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
