Latest news with #ChitraVijayan
Time of India
24-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Councillors flag delay in road restoration, waste collection lapses
Madurai: The long delays in restoring roads damaged by the ongoing AMRUT Mullaperiyar drinking water project, and inefficient garbage collection by the agency assigned for solid waste management dominated the Madurai corporation council meeting on Tuesday. Councillors urged officials to fast-track pipeline-related tasks and ramp up workforce deployment across the city. The councillors expressed frustration at roads remaining dug up for months in core as well as extension areas. Officials said that nearly 92% of AMRUT pipeline work was over in extension areas, while progress in the core city was around 70%. Madurai South zonal chairperson Mugesh Sharma said many road works that were inaugurated weeks ago have failed to pick up speed. "The work that came to a halt during the Chithirai festival has never resumed in full swing. The contractor is sending just one or two workers a day, and the pace is far too slow," he said. North zonal chairperson Saravana Bhuvaneshwari highlighted the difficulties faced by residents living on poramboke land and others without patta. "They are being denied pipeline connections. Even those who apply for new connections are facing undue delays due to the inefficiency of contractors," she said. Corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan assured that access to water would not be denied based on land ownership, and alternative measures are being planned. You Can Also Check: Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai West zonal chairperson V Suveetha said the testing of overhead tanks in extension areas has slowed down. "Water supply is being given on a trial basis, but frequent pipeline bursts are being reported. We need more manpower for testing and supply stabilisation. Meter installation issues also remain unresolved," she said. Several councillors complained that the private agency handling solid waste management had reduced its efforts after night-time cleaning operations were introduced. Councillor Arun Kumar of ward 53 said the south and central zones were most affected. "The agency skips morning cleaning, claiming they completed work at night. Their attitude is lethargic," he said. Ward 40 councillor J Manickam said around 600 permanent corporation workers were reassigned to the agency, but waste management has not improved. "We receive daily complaints from residents," he said. Councillors also pointed out that the number of workers currently deployed is based on outdated 2019 surveys. Commissioner Chitra Vijayan said the corporation will hold talks with the agency and convene a meeting to address the issues raised. Road work before pipeline completion Opposition councillors raised concerns over road relaying in North and West zone areas even before completion of AMRUT drinking water pipeline work. They warned that freshly laid roads could be dug up again within months, as Mullaperiyar drinking water project is scheduled for completion only by December. AIADMK floor leader M Solai Raja pointed out that key pipeline works are pending in areas where minister P Moorthy recently launched road projects. He also criticised the installation of manual water meters, claiming they could lead to manipulation. Commissioner Chitra Vijayan assured that the works would be coordinated and roads would only be laid after completion of underground pipeline works.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nelpettai fish vendors stall demolition; corpn promises relocation
1 2 3 Madurai: Work on the 2.36-crore modernisation of the Nelpettai fish market, one of the busiest markets in the core city area, hit a brief snag on Wednesday, as vendors blocked Madurai corporation officials who arrived with earthmovers and police protection to demolish the old structure. The officials came to dismantle the four-decade-old stalls ahead of constructing a new market complex. However, members of the Nelpettai fish market association blocked the officials, preventing the machinery from entering and bringing proceedings to a standstill for an hour. The vendors insisted the demolition could not proceed until they were given a suitable temporary site to continue trading. "The plot offered to us near the goat-slaughter area is unhygienic and unviable," association secretary Emam Jawahar Sadiq told TOI. "We have petitioned the commissioner asking for a location in the vicinity so that our mainly retail customers are not inconvenienced." After talks, corporation officials agreed to defer the demolition until next week and to identify an alternative spot acceptable to the traders. "We are scouting for a place and an arrangement will be finalised shortly. The association also wants an assurance on shop allotment once the new market is built; that aspect will be examined," corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan said. A fish market association member pointed out that earlier proposals to shift the fish vendors to Mattuthavani were dropped after the association argued that the Nelpettai market—located within city limits—caters mainly to small, walk-in buyers and does not cause major traffic disruption. "The redevelopment is a boon, but we must be able to earn a livelihood in the interim," Sadiq added. Local residents also welcomed the upgrade plan, describing the present market as cramped and difficult to maintain. "Nelpettai has always been the go-to place for fresh fish, but its condition often creates inconvenience," said Naga Raj of Kamarajar Salai. "A cleaner, better-organised market will benefit both shoppers and vendors," he added. According to corporation officials, once commenced, the project will replace the dilapidated structure with a modern facility in 10 months, designed to improve hygiene, circulation, and waste management. **Project Highlights** - **Project Cost:** Rs2.36 crore - **Area:** 10,000sqft - **Infrastructure Upgrades:** - 42 new shops - Separate toilet complexes for men and women - **Timeline:** - Work order awarded after tender process - Completion expected within 10 months from the start date
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Special dental health camp for corporation school students
M adurai: A special dental health screening initiative titled 'Path of Smiles' was launched on Wednesday to promote oral hygiene among students of Madurai corporation schools. The initiative, jointly organised by the Madurai corporation and CSI Dental College, was inaugurated by mayor Indrani Ponvasanth at the EVR Nagammaiyar Girls Higher Secondary School. According to corporation officials, the camp aims to cover around 18,000 students across 49 corporation-run schools, offering free oral health check-ups over a six-month period—from June 11 to Dec 23. Screenings will be conducted on two days a week in each school. As part of the programme, students will be educated on the importance of oral hygiene and preventive dental care. Those found needing further treatment will be referred to appropriate facilities with guidance from dental professionals. Awareness short films on dental care are also being screened during the camp. Officials said the initiative falls under the broader effort to enhance student well-being, which includes academic and co-curricular interventions such as sports competitions, career guidance, magic shows, and green walks. Corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan and other officials were present.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Snubbed last year, Madurai corpn earns Rs13.5cr NCAP grant
Madurai: Madurai corporation has been allocated 13.5 crore under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for 2025-26 by the Union environment ministry. The civic body, which missed out on funds last year for failing to meet pollution reduction targets, qualified this time after bringing down particulate matter levels significantly. According to corporation officials, the real-time air-quality stations in the city show the average concentration of coarse particulate matter (PM10) dipped from 63 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) in March 2024 to 53 µg/m³ this March, while the finer and more harmful PM2.5 fell from 30 µg/m³ to 25 µg/m³. Though still above the national annual limits—60 µg/m³ for PM10 and 40 µg/m³ for PM2.5—the improvement met the threshold set by the central govt. Speaking to TOI, corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan said that most of this year's grant will be channelled into "end-to-end, dust-free" resurfacing of key roads. "Better carriageways mean fewer potholes and less loose soil, which directly cuts the dust that shows up in our PM10 readings," she said. Only a small share will go to parks, as the civic body plans to tap other schemes for green spaces, the commissioner added. A senior corporation engineer added that a large number of underground drainage and drinking water pipeline works were completed in many wards. "Since most of the digging-related civic works are over, the particulate matter has reduced compared to last year and this is the right time to take up permanent road laying, which will help keep dust under control in the long term," he said. Under NCAP guidelines, corporation must spend the entire grant and log another five-point fall in particulate levels by March 2026 to stay eligible for next year's tranche. M Raj Kumar, a civic activist, said that end-to-end road paving is most needed for the city as many roads lack it and the NCAP fund should be fully utilised for it rather than spending it on other activities. He also said that corporations should enlist a plan to control air pollution levels every year so that they don't miss out on funds.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Madurai corpn launches guidance programme for Class XII repeaters
Madurai: Madurai corporation, in collaboration with Chellamuthu Trust, launched a special guidance programme on Thursday to support students who did not pass the Class XII board examinations and are set to re-appear. The initiative is aimed at achieving a 100% pass rate in the re-examinations. The programme was held at Navalar Somasundara Bharathiar Girls Higher Secondary School, where corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan led the initiative. Addressing the students, the commissioner motivated them to remain focused and utilise the opportunity to improve their academic performance. "We are committed to ensuring no student is left behind. With the right guidance and support, every student can succeed," she said. The event included motivational sessions and academic strategy discussions. Students were also encouraged to share their personal challenges and goals, creating a platform for mutual encouragement. Around 100 students, along with teachers, headmasters, and parents, participated in the session. According to the education department officials, the programme is part of a larger city-wide strategy to boost education outcomes and support mental well-being among students preparing for supplementary exams. Officials emphasised that similar sessions would continue in the lead-up to the re-exams, ensuring students are well-prepared both academically and emotionally.
