Latest news with #M.SivaguruPrabakaran
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
UGD charges to be collected as per 2023 bylaw, says Coimbatore Corporation
Coimbatore Corporation will collect underground drainage (UGD) charges as per the bylaw passed in 2023, and the recently revised rates will not be implemented, Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said during the Council meeting on Thursday. Councillors opposed the proposed 3% annual hike in monthly charges and deposit amounts for UGD connections, calling it a financial burden on the public. They demanded the withdrawal of resolution 101 and 102, which were passed during the previous Council meeting held on May 14, 2025. The Commissioner clarified that the resolutions were intended only to indicate a potential revenue stream for repaying a World Bank loan and assured the council they would not be enforced. He added that delays in securing the loan could affect UGD-related works in the city. Mayor K. Ranganayaki said the decision on withdrawing the resolutions would be discussed with party leaders and brought up at the next council meeting. As per the 2023 bylaw, UGD charges for residential buildings are based on built-up area. Houses up to 600 pay ₹7,500 as deposit and ₹110 monthly; 601–1,200 ₹10,000 deposit and ₹140 monthly; 1,201–1,800 ₹12,500 deposit and ₹180 monthly; 1,801–2,400 ₹15,000 deposit and ₹210 monthly; above 2,400 ₹17,500 and above as deposit, and ₹250 and above monthly. For non-residential buildings up to 600 ₹15,000 deposit and ₹330 monthly; 601–1,200 ₹20,000 and ₹420; 1,201–1,800 ₹25,000 and ₹540; 1,801–2,400 ₹30,000 and ₹630; above 2,400 ₹35,000 and above as deposit, and ₹660 and above monthly. Meanwhile, AIADMK floor leader R. Prabakaran raised concerns that UGD charges were being levied even on properties not connected to the service. He added that some demands generated since 2017 were exorbitant and baseless. On the issue of inflated UGD charges displayed on the Corporation's website, where some residents were shown to owe lakhs of rupees, the Commissioner said these were the result of incorrect entries. 'We have requested deletion of the wrongly uploaded records, and the updated details based on 2023 rates will be uploaded shortly,' he said.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Coimbatore Corporation drops plan for multiple STPs along Noyyal
The Coimbatore Corporation has revised its earlier proposal to establish multiple sewage treatment plants (STPs) along the Noyyal river bund. Instead, the Corporation now plans to construct a single STP and divert sewage through interception and diversion systems to existing treatment facilities at Ukkadam, Nanjundapuram, and Ondipudur. According to officials, sewage intercepted at various points along the river will be directed into a well and pumped to the existing STPs. This revised approach is expected to reduce the operational and maintenance costs associated with managing multiple smaller units. Approximately 50 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage is proposed to be redirected through this system. In locations where diversion is not feasible, a separate 15 MLD STP is proposed. The total cost of these measures is estimated at ₹100 crore. As part of preparatory work, the Corporation has completed boundary marking of the Noyyal river and installed boundary stones along the 18.5-km stretch within the city limits. Separately, under the State government's Riverfront Development (RFD) project, Coimbatore is among five cities selected for riverfront enhancements. A proposal for ₹100 crore has been submitted for developing the Noyyal bund stretch from Puttuvikki Road to Nanjundapuram Road. Proposed works include construction of bund roads, retaining walls, parks, walking tracks, and recreational spaces to improve access and connectivity. 'We have submitted proposals totalling ₹220 crore for the rejuvenation of the Noyyal,' said Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran. He added that the river, which also carries sewage from several town panchayats and neighbouring local bodies, will see significant improvement once the project is implemented, benefiting all system tanks linked to it.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Coimbatore Corporation initiates study to ease congestion at R.S. Puram junction
The Coimbatore Corporation has initiated a study to ease growing traffic congestion at the R.S. Puram junction. Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said a team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras will carry out a month-long study, which will include traffic volume counts, turning movement analysis, conflict point identification, and a reassessment of the available space at the junction. Necessary improvements will be taken up based on the report, he said. Once regulated by traffic signals, the intersection of DB Road and TV Samy Road now operates without them, as the area had been developed earlier under the Smart Cities Mission. 'The existing roundabout is not the best option for handling the traffic. It is often managed by a traffic police personnel, but still ends up getting choked,' said S. Ambika, a resident of R.S. Puram. G. Manuneethi, Divisional Engineer of the State Highways Department (Road Safety), said the junction earlier had a diameter of about 25 metres, which could accommodate a 14-metre roundabout and provide nine metres of motorable space. The existing roundabout is only about six metres in diameter, which is not ideal for turning radius,' he said.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Eight Coimbatore Corporation school students clear NEET with free coaching
Eight students of schools run by the Coimbatore Corporation have cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2025 through a free coaching programme organised by the civic body from last October. Of the 158 students from Classes XI and XII (2023–24 academic year) who received the training, 43 appeared for the examination and eight cleared it. Two of them had taken the test for the second time. Coaching classes were held twice a week. Class XII students completed their training in May 2025, while Class XI students will continue into the next academic year. The Corporation had spent ₹5 lakh for the programme, which covered food and transportation costs for students attending the sessions. 'The NEET syllabus differed significantly from our school curriculum, and the coaching played a crucial role in helping us adapt. I have applied for counselling, and if I am not allotted an MBBS seat this time, I intend to attempt the exam again,' said K. Sadhana, a student of Corporation Higher Secondary School, North Coimbatore. Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said, 'Since this is the first year of the programme, we did not expect major results. Students who started early, especially those in Class XI, are likely to perform better next year. We will commence the next round of coaching later this month and expect around 200 students to enrol. From this year, the coaching will follow a purpose-driven model to help students improve their scores,' he said.
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Garbage collection affected as contract workers continue protest in Coimbatore
Uncollected waste accumulated across multiple areas in the city on Friday as contract sanitary workers of Coimbatore Corporation continued their protest for the fifth consecutive day, disrupting regular waste collection and sanitation services in the city According to the Corporation, there are 3,442 contract sanitary workers and 525 contract drivers engaged through contractors. The civic body has stated that contract sanitation workers could be paid a maximum of ₹20,454 per month and that there was no provision to increase this amount. In a statement, the Corporation said the sanctioned net monthly salary was ₹16,000. An additional ₹1,250, compared to the previous year, was to be credited to workers' bank accounts directly by the contractor. A proposal had been sent to the Directorate of Municipal Administration seeking approval for any further increase in wages discussed during negotiations. The total monthly package includes deductions for Provident Fund (PF) and Employees' State Insurance (ESI). Of the total ₹3,750, the employer's PF contribution is ₹1,950 and the employee's ₹1,800. For ESI, the employer contributes ₹572 and the employee ₹132. These contributions are to be managed and deposited by the contractor. The Corporation also stated that salary slips would be issued by the 20th of each month. Uniforms, safety kits, reflective jackets, and gloves would be distributed. Camps would be held across wards to raise awareness among workers about PF and ESI benefits. A similar salary proposal was under consideration for Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBC). While some workers returned to duty on Friday after accepting the Corporation's terms, others continued to demand a monthly salary of ₹23,000, rejecting the ₹20,454 offered. Over 200 workers assembled at the Collectorate to press their demand and were subsequently detained by the police. 'Nearly 90% of the workers resumed duty today. We have begun clearing over 1,800 tonnes of mixed waste that had accumulated over the last four days. Segregation is under way at the Vellalore dump yard. We will continue discussions with the remaining workers who have not yet returned,' said Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran.
