Latest news with #PSreedharan
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Avinashi Road flyover will be ready by Aug 15: Minister
Photo by P Sreedharan COIMBATORE: Work on the Avinashi Road flyover would be completed by Aug 15, minister for public works E V Velu said on Saturday. The minister inspected work on the flyover stretching from Uppilipalayam to Goldwins. He also inspected work on the Thanthai Periyar Library and Science Centre in Gandhipuram. The minister said work on the flyover was progressing well. 'Once it is completed, subways may be constructed, if necessary, for pedestrians to cross the road (below the flyover),' he told reporters. Speaking about the construction of the Thanthai Periyar Library and Science Centre, he said the building would have seven floors, excluding the ground floor. Currently, work on the sixth and seventh floors is under way. 'Quality control engineers are regularly monitoring the construction to ensure it meets standards, and the project is expected to be completed by December,' he said. The library would house books in various categories, including Tamil, English, and general subjects, along with resources for students preparing for competitive exams. 'An auditorium is also being constructed, and a review is under way to increase its seating capacity from the current 350 seats," he said. Drishti bommai pictures removed Two 'drishti bommai' pictures were spotted at the library construction site. The installation of drishti bommais at the site drew criticism from rationalist groups. When asked about them, the minister said, 'I am a Periyarist. I do not support such practices. The contractor may have installed the pictures due to personal beliefs. The govt did not instruct anyone to place them. Once the work is over, these pictures will be removed from the site.' Following the backlash, the contractor removed the pictures from the construction site in the evening.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Three die as vehicle topples on Pollachi-Valparai Ghat Road
Photo by P Sreedharan COIMBATORE: Three people died and 19 others suffered injuries when a light commercial vehicle carrying them toppled on the Pollachi-Valparai Ghat Road on Thursday morning. The deceased have been identified as M Rani, 45, and Sanjay Kumar , 20, of Navamalai and K Thilagaraj, 40, of Ettithurai village. Five others suffered severe injuries in the accident and were admitted to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH). The Aliyar police said that the goods vehicle was carrying people from Navamalai tribal settlement to Kattampatti. They were engaged in the Parambikulam-Aliyar-Project canal cleaning work carried out by the water resources department. There were 22 people on board the vehicle, including driver Deva Balan, 23. When the vehicle approached Chinnarpathi, the driver lost control of the vehicle after the steering got locked. The vehicle overturned on the ghat road. Rani died on the spot. Thilagaraj died while on the way to the hospital. Sanjay Kumar died without responding to treatment in CMCH. The remaining people, including the driver, were rushed to Government District Headquarters Hospital at Pollachi for treatment. The Aliyar police have registered a case. Chief minister M K Stalin condoled the deaths and announced a solatium of Rs 3 lakh each for the families of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh each for the severely injured and Rs 50,000 each for those injured.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Most manjappai vending machines lie idle in Coimbatore
A manjappai vending machine. Photo by P Sreedharan COIMBATORE: Automatic cloth bag vending machines, introduced as part of an eco-friendly initiative under the Meendum Manjappai scheme, are lying idle in Coimbatore. The machines -- each costing approximately Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh -- was installed in 15 locations in the district, according to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) website. They were installed in places including the district collectorate, Gandhipuram bus stand, R S Puram Uzhavar Sandhai, the flower market on the Mettupalayam Road, Sulur and Pollachi. The machine's capacity ranges from 250 to 500 bags. Most of these machines are now non-functional and abandoned. The machines were installed to promote the use of cloth bags as a replacement for single-use plastic bags by the public. Despite an investment of more than Rs 10 lakh on these machines, public awareness about their existence remains low. As part of the campaign, an app integrated with GIS mapping of these machines was launched for public use. TOI visited the flower market, Gandhipuram bus stand, RS Puram Uzhavar Sandhai and collectorate to check the functional status of these machines. The machine on the collectorate premises had a few bags but was non-functional due to a disconnected electricity supply. The situation at the Gandhipuram bus stand was not different, with the machine showing clear signs of neglect. 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 R Gomathi Devi, a commuter at Gandhipuram bus stand, said, "For more than a year, I have rarely seen this machine functioning. I believe many people are unaware of its existence. Regardless of usage, regular maintenance would attract people. Even if the machine is operational, its dusty appearance creates an impression of being defunct." A flower vendor at the bus stand added, "The machine's placement near the bus office is not ideal. It should be installed in areas with high purchasing activity like the Crosscut Road. This would encourage people to choose cloth bags over plastic covers." Responding to these concerns, a TNPCB official said, "While TNPCB handles the installation of machines, their maintenance is the local administration's responsibility. Corporation or panchayat should maintain it. We can inspect the condition based on public complaints, which can also be registered through the app."
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Abandoned well recharged; Paduvampalli panchayat can now save Rs 90,000 every two months
Photo by P Sreedharan COIMBATORE: An abandoned open well at Rayarpalayam near Sulur has been recharged after nearly five decades through collaborative efforts. People no longer need to depend on two 1,000-foot-deep borewells, as the revived open well now provides sufficient water supply at just 100 feet. The well has become a significant electricity saver for both the Paduvampalli panchayat panchayat administration and the farmers in the area. The open well is situated in the Rayarpalayam Rangasamuthiram lake. The lake is being desilted by Kousika Neerkarangal, an NGO, in collaboration with Pioneer Fertilizers which extended its corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding. According to the NGO, the lake is among the 1,230 water bodies recharged through the Athikadavu-Avinashi project. Due to depleted groundwater in the locality, the open well had dried up and was subsequently used as a garbage disposal pit for almost three decades. Paduvampalli village had previously installed two 1,000-foot borewells to supply water to the public. Balakrishnan, secretary of the agriculture wing at Kousika Neerkarangal, said, 'The lake has received water from the Athikadavu-Avinashi project. As a result, the well has been naturally recharged over the last eight months. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The 120-foot well maintains a minimum water level of 50 feet.' 'Previously, the panchayat had installed two 7.5 HP pump sets that ran continuously to supply approximately 90,000 litre of water to around 1,500 people. The daily electricity consumption was approximately 264 units, costing the panchayat roughly Rs 1.2 lakh every two months. After desilting the well and installing new motor, starter, and pipelines connected to village tanks, the electricity bill has reduced by approximately Rs 30,000 every two months,' he added. According to Shanmugavadivel, a local farmer, the total dissolved solids (TDS) levels in the borewell were comparatively high and impacted crop yields. He said, 'My well was also recharged because of the Athikadavu-Avinashi project. Earlier, the borewell water was tasteless and salty, resulting in lower crop yields. In the last six months, after using the well water, I have noticed an improvement in crop yields and crop quality. The water department collected and tested samples, confirming that TDS levels in the borewell were higher than in the well.' The NGO will hand over the operations of the well to the panchayat on Wednesday for regular water supply to the village.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Nipah case in Palakkad: State health dept steps up surveillance on TN-Kerala border
Photo by P Sreedharan COIMBATORE: The Tamil Nadu health department has stepped up surveillance along the inter-state border in Coimbatore district by setting up temporary medical camps at checkposts adjoining Kerala, following a confirmed case of Nipah virus infection in Palakkad district. Health workers are screening individuals entering Coimbatore district from Palakkad through six main checkposts for symptoms of the Nipah virus, which are similar to those of influenza. 'The six checkposts where commuters are being screened are located at Gopalapuram in Pollachi North block, Veerappagoundanur in Kinathukadavu block, Walayar in Madukkarai block, Anaikatti in Periyanaickenpalayam block, Pattisalai in Karamadai block and Meenachipuram in Anamalai block,' said district health officer P Balusamy. 'Health workers stationed at these checkposts are using personal protective equipment (PPE) while screening incoming commuters in all vehicles. They are using infrared thermometers to check passengers' temperatures and look for symptoms of the zoonotic disease, including fever, muscle pain and respiratory issues,' he added. Six teams have been deployed, each comprising one health inspector, one village health nurse and one female health volunteer, amounting to 18 staff members in total. 'At checkposts with high vehicle traffic, we are planning to deploy additional manpower based on the requirement,' he said. 'So far, we did not detect any suspected cases. If we do suspect any passenger, they will be taken to the nearest primary health centre, where throat and blood samples will be collected. Surveillance will continue until further orders from the state govt,' said Balusamy. Another health department official said the zoonotic disease was spread by large fruit bats. 'Humans can contract the virus if they consume contaminated fruit. People should wash their hands regularly and avoid eating fruits and vegetables without thoroughly washing them,' he said.
