Latest news with #N.Muruganandam
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Comprehensive mobility plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area to be ready this month
CHENNAI: The comprehensive mobility plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area is likely to be released by Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) this month, shaping urban mobility for the next 25 years. The CUMTA executive committee led by Chief Secretary examined all the proposals for a comprehensive mobility plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area on Monday and cleared for submission to CUMTA. CUMTA, headed by Chief Minister is expected to meet by the end of July for release of the comprehensive mobility plan. Following the release of the comprehensive mobility plan, an App for 'journey planner-cum-integrated ticketing' is likely to be launched by the second week of August for commuters in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpet, Tiruvallur and Ranipet. The journey planner cum integrated ticketing system will include MTC, metrorail, auto and cab for Chennai Metropolitan Area in the first phase. As the Railway Board is expected to approve the integration of Railways with the journey planner cum integrated ticketing system later, suburban train commuters will be integrated with the App by October. Commuters will make a single payment to reach any destination in the metropolitan area, as the App will provide information about the cheapest and the fastest modes of transport to reach any destination. Once the commuter makes a decision, choosing any one of the options provided by the system, she/he will make a single payment and a QR code will be generated for the transit. One of the proposals include extension of Metrorail from Poonamallee to Kuthambakkam bus terminus in this phase. Priority to Airport metro and linking of Kalaignar Convention Centre in Muttukadu on ECR with Siruseri Metro station has also been proposed. The plan involves several key components, including the development of missing links, new links, and ring-radial roads. Road widening and upgradation projects are also included, alongside the construction of Rail Over Bridges (ROB) and Rail Under Bridges (RUB). Grade separations, such as flyovers and underpasses, and improvements to road safety and junctions are part of the strategy. The plan's targets for 2048 include achieving a 45% reduction in transportation sector green house gases emissions, and a 75% reduction in road crashes, including fatal and severe injuries. The plan also aims for 60% of the critical road network to be protected from flood impacts. For the GCC area, the plan proposes the upgradation and construction of Link Road along the Buckingham Canal, spanning 19 km. The Madhavaram Sholavaram elevated corridor, which is along an existing road, has also been proposed. New road projects in the GCC area include the extension of the NH bypass to the Inner Ring Road from Puzhal, and two U-shaped flyovers near Indira Nagar MRTS and Tidel Park Junction at OMR. These new roads proposed in the GCC area cover 7.6 km. In the expanded CMA, the plan includes new town loop roads such as Arakkonam (16 km), Chengalpattu (24 km), Kanchipuram (16.5 km), Mahabalipuram (15.5 km), Parandur (10 km), Tirutani (4 km), and Thiruvallur (11 km). The new town loop roads cover a length of 97 km.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
T.N. Chief Secretary reviews civic and infra works in Perumbakkam, South Chennai
Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam on Saturday, assessed the solid waste management and drinking water supply connectivity at the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) units at Perumbakkam. He also inspected multiple civic infrastructure works, underground sewer projects, road restoration, pond desilting, and lake rejuvenation undertaken by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB). He met the people and members of the resident welfare association of the tenements. The garbage collection work has improved since GCC took over the work earlier this year. The process to provide sewage and water supply connections to all units by CMWSSB is also progressing, the Chief Secretary said. Further, the public informed him of poor network and wifi connectivity. He assured them that the government would talk with leading companies to improving network connectivity. He said that initiatives under the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC), such as Naan Mudhalvan Finishing School Scheme, tailoring, and other trades focusing on youth were also needed for the residents. A skill institute was being established currently at Perumbakkam by the CMDA. Later, he reviewed the CMWSSB underground drainage project for an estimated ₹99.71 crore at Ramachandran Street and Bangala Thoppu Main Road in Mugalivakkam. He checked the desilting of the canal in Adyar Zone for an estimated ₹30 lakh, work at two ponds near the MRTS area for ₹32.14 lakh, roadworks from Velachery to Perungudi MRTS Station and on MGR Road, worth ₹8.09 crore. Mr. Muruganandam also inspected the rejuvenation of Sri Raman Thangal Eri in Sholinganallur Zone. Chennai Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, Highways and Minor Ports Department Secretary R. Selvaraj, Metrowater Managing Director D. J. Vinay, TNUHDB Managing Director Shreya P. Singh, Regional Deputy Commissioner (South) Aftab Rasool, and other officials were present.
The Hindu
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Guidelines modified for preferential appointment in T.N. government service for persons who studied in Tamil medium
Candidates who did not attend Class I but pursued education eventually under the Right to Education (RTE) Act with Tamil as the medium of instruction up to the prescribed qualification, would be able to benefit from the 20% preferential appointment in Tamil Nadu government service, given to persons who studied in Tamil medium (PSTM). The State government has recently modified its guidelines in this regard. According to the modification issued by Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam for the Human Resources Management Department to the guidelines in this regard, candidates who could not join Class I but who joined schools under the RTE Act between Classes II and VIII with Tamil as the medium of instruction and passed, would be able to obtain preferential appointment in Tamil Nadu government service, if they meet other conditions. The modification in guidelines also allowed those candidates who have studied in other States with Tamil as the medium of instruction and resumed their education in Tamil Nadu and continued in Tamil as the medium of instruction from the class they joined in the State. 'They should obtain certificates from all the educational institutions that their medium of instruction was Tamil upto the prescribed qualification,' it said. The modification issued by the Human Resources Management Department followed a judgment of the Madras High Court delivered in March 2024 and several representations to the State government requesting to allow those who went to Nila Oli Pallis, those who went to schools only from Class II, III, VI or V and those who could not pursue formal education but completed Class VIII, X, XI and XII as private candidates with Tamil as the medium of instruction. The modification issued to the guidelines is expected to benefit candidates who might have gone to Nila Oli Pallis (moonlight schools or night schools) that are set up by district administrations to get students, who were out of formal education and were involved in work in the daytime to get education between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. It is also expected to benefit candidates who did not follow the formal education from Class I but completed their schooling under RTE Act, among others.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- The Hindu
Abandoned quarry sites, wells, water bodies to be fenced to prevent another tragic accident
MADURAI The recent accident at Sathankulam in Thoothukudi district where a car plunged into a roadside well leading to the death of five people, including a toddler, has raised concerns about the safety of taluk and panchayat roads. The accident led to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam directing Collectors and Highway Department officials to conduct immediate inspections of roadside wells and hazardous road stretches across the State. The direction to identify open wells, potholes, and other potentially dangerous areas along roads, according to road users, has come at a time when voices for fencing unused quarries in Madurai district too have been raising. While Madurai district is covered by quarries, several of them have been abandoned long ago due to irregularities flagged by officials, or after expiry of licences. One particular abandoned stone quarry on either side of the road leading to Masthanpatti from Vandiyur ring road junction in Madurai is to be fenced immediately to avoid any untoward incident. While some of the places have elevated boundaries, the abandoned quarry sites along the roads at Masthanpatti situated en route Sakkimangalam lies on the road level without any protective boundaries. The quarries which are about 30 feet deep from the road surface would be sufficient to create massive damage to the vehicle if any accidents are to happen in the future. K. Manimohan, a former quarry worker residing nearby the quarry sites, says though no major accidents have taken place at the location, other than one or two minor accidents, the quarries ought to be fenced before any such accident takes place. The road, which is used by thousands of people from more than 20 villages to reach ring road every day for their jobs, could end up dangerous anytime as the road is less than around 15 feet wide. At night, the stretch of road would be even more dangerous due to lack of streetlights and unfenced deep trenches, he adds. As per Rule 32 of the Granite Conservation and Development Rules 1999, every lease holder shall undertake in a phased manner restoration, reclamation and rehabilitation of lands affected by prospecting of mining operations and shall complete the work before the conclusion of such operations and the abandonment of the granite quarry. Also, as per the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959, the District Collector has an important role to constitute a committee under their chairmanship called as the Reclamation, Restoration and Rehabilitation Committee comprising District Collector (Chairperson), Assistant Director of Geology and Mining (Secretary), District Forest Officer, Executive Engineer, (Water Resources Department), District Environment Engineer, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board), Chief Executive Officer, District Disaster Management Authority) and the District Fire Officer. But, as a known fact, most of the quarry sites in and around the district remain unfenced, unused and dangerous to the public. M. Janaki, a villager, says they are vigilant while passing through the road. 'We are cautious while allowing our children to drive through the road as we never know what might happen if they even slip a bit on either side of the road.' According to a revenue official, the place has remained unfenced for several years. 'We do not have plans to fence, but we will convey the issue to higher officials for action,' the official says. Similarly, in an area called Panaikulam near Thiruvathavur in Melur block in the district, a vast area nearby the road which appears to be a pastureland on just a glance is a water body covered with water hyacinth and other plants. 'While the morning light could somewhat differentiate the road and the water body, night rides are tricky as even a slip from the road edge could put them in a nightmare,' says regular commuters. Especially, when heavy vehicles tried to leave way for other vehicles they could very easily slip from the edge, they added. In Thoothukudi district, where the tragic accident claimed five lives, several such unfenced open private wells can be seen while travelling through any highway or village roads. In Thoothukudi taluk alone, about nine wells have been identified to be dangerous and left unfenced near important roads. Residents of Kumaragiri village, where a private well is located nearby Thoothukudi-Tirunelveli National Highway, say such wells are common in the region surrounding the district. 'Most of them are privately owned and used for agricultural purposes and even for drinking water purposes.' Asked why they have been left unfenced, they says the wells were initially near the agricultural land or their houses were far away from the road, but as the roads were expanded to build highways, the roads came closer to the wells. 'Since no one asked us, or we did not feel the need to fence it, we have left it open. Only the recent incident has caught the eyes of officials about the unsafe wells located along important roads,' they add. Officials say Thoothukudi Collector K. Elambahavath has directed revenue officials to identify such open wells in their taluks and fence it, or create bunds to differentiate them from the adjacent roads. Another similar well on Dindigul – Natham National Highway near Ponagaram, which too looks dangerous, has no warning boards or warning signs to inform commuters about its location. Not just the vehicles but also pedestrians, who use the platform near the well could misplace their steps into the well anytime. As the wells usually would not be full to the brim and appears to be covered with grass due to growth of water plants, the danger of mistaking it for barren land is high, say nearby residents. However, the residents are hopeful that the unused or under use wells would be covered by a fence or closed using iron grills after the State government has passed an order to inspect such precarious wells. Though it cannot be permanently sealed, at least fencing it would prevent accidents caused by open wells and water bodies.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Age concession for direct recruitment into T.N. government service to remain till September 2026
The State government has decided to allow the one-time concession in maximum age limit for various competitive exams for direct recruitment into government service till September next year. In view of the delay in conducting various exams due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State government in September 2021 issued orders enhancing the maximum age limit for direct recruitment by two years. In a recent communication, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam clarified that the decision was a 'one-time concession' and added that this would be applicable only to recruitment by various agencies and appointing authorities (made through notification) till September 12, 2026. Necessary amendments to the special rules/ad hoc rules be needed in this regard by the respective departments, Mr. Muruganandam added. The communication has been sent to all government departments, Collectors, the Madras High Court, the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, the Teachers Recruitment Board, the Medical Services Recruitment Board, the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board, and the Tamil Nadu Forest Uniformed Services Recruitment Board, among others. In 2021, the then Minister for Finance and Human Resources Management had announced the one-time age concession in the Assembly. The Human Resources Management Department on September 13, 2021 issued orders for the same. However, it did not specify as to how long the concession would remain in effect. Meanwhile, some government departments raised doubts if the relaxation continued to be in place. The Chief Secretary's clarification was in response to these concerns. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had announced that several thousand posts in the government service would be filled.
