Latest news with #R.Priya
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Enumeration of Persons with Disabilities begins in nine more zones of Chennai
Mayor R. Priya launched the enumeration of persons with disabilities (PwDs) project under the Tamil Nadu Rights Project in nine zones of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on Monday at the Ripon Buildings. The project will go on till September end. According to a press release, the enumeration had already been completed in six zones - Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, Kodambakkam, Perungudi, and Sholinganallur. The exercise was now being extended to Thiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Ambattur, Anna Nagar, Teynampet, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, and Adyar zones. The enumeration exercise is being carried out by DORCAS Research Centre through household visits to enable access to government schemes, rehabilitation services, treatment, and counselling. Around 70 community facilitators and community rehabilitation workers have been appointed and trained for the task. Using handheld devices, they would first register individuals, followed by recording their service requirements. Commissioner DORCAS Director Aiswarya Rao and State Programme Manager of the Tamil Nadu Rights Project S. Sankar Sahayaraj with GCC officials and elected representatives were present.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Construction of ₹77-crore Chennai Corporation Council Hall delayed; facility to be ready in 2027
Construction of the Greater Chennai Corporation's (GCC) much-anticipated new Council Hall, which was initially planned to be ready before the 2026 State Assembly election, has now been delayed by a year. According to a GCC official, technical issues have pushed the timeline, and the facility is now expected to be completed only in 2027. In December 2022, Mayor R. Priya announced that the construction would take around 12 months to 15 months, with council meetings likely to begin in the new hall by 2026. However, the tender for the construction is now scheduled to be opened only on July 15, and with a project duration of 24 months from the start date, officials now estimate that the building will be ready in 2027. The project was announced by Minister for Municipal Administration and Water Supply K.N. Nehru in June 2024, as part of the Kalaignar Centenary Year celebrations. The city would undergo a delimitation process, and the council would be expanded to 300 councillors, the Minister had said. 'While the core expenditure for the overall project is an estimated ₹62.57 crore, the overall expenditure is ₹77 crore, considering the additional expenditure and maintenance expenses,' the GCC official said. Design ready 'A private architectural firm proposed the design for the new council hall that was reviewed and finalised three months ago. The new building will consist of four floors, covering a total area of over one lakh square feet. The ground floor will feature an entrance and foyer. The second floor will house offices of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Standing Committees, Ward Committees, the leader of the ruling party, among other party heads. Conference rooms for committee meetings will also be located on the second floor. Rooms designated for the GCC Council Department have also been accommodated. The third floor will be dedicated to the main hall, where council meetings and GCC budget sessions will take place,' he said. He added that the Indo-Saracenic style of the old building is also being incorporated in the new building design. 'The design is finalised, but work order has not been issued to contractors to begin construction. Only after the order is issued, the final design can be released,' he said. The official said the older structure, which will be demolished to raise the new Council Hall, had spaces for certain associations related to the Chennai Corporation, and a canteen for those agencies. These will be accommodated in the main building or other areas within the Ripon Buildings premises, he added.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Greater Chennai Corporation begins training newly-appointed doctors
A training session for doctors who have completed postgraduate medical education and have been appointed to serve in the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC)-run hospitals was launched at Ripon Buildings on Friday. The training covers public health operations and medical services within the the civic body, including hospital management. According to a press release, under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), 155 vacant posts for medical and paramedical personnel were approved for recruitment — five through transfers and 150 by direct appointment of postgraduate doctors. Of the 150 appointed doctors, 113 have joined duty and will serve at GCC-run hospitals for two years. The GCC currently operates 140 urban primary health centres, 200 urban wellness centres, 16 urban community health centres, three maternity hospitals, and one infectious diseases hospital. Chennai Mayor R. Priya, Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumar and officials were present at the first session on Friday.
Hans India
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Chennai civic body to introduce CNG cattle-catching vehicles, allocates Rs 2.56 crore for fleet upgrade
In a move aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing pollution, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has approved the replacement of eight outdated cattle-catching vehicles with new, eco-friendly models powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), officials said on Monday. The civic body has allocated Rs 2.56 crore for the procurement, with each vehicle estimated to cost Rs 32 lakh. At present, the corporation operates a fleet of 20 specially designed cattle-catching vehicles fitted with hydraulic lifts to manage the increasing number of stray cattle across the city. These animals often cause traffic congestion, pose risks to road users, and create sanitation issues in residential and commercial zones. However, officials say eight of the vehicles have been in service for more than a decade and are now beyond economical repair. "These diesel vehicles are not only inefficient but also contribute to air pollution in the city," said a senior GCC official. "With the transition to CNG, we aim to reduce the environmental impact and improve the reliability of cattle control operations." The announcement follows a budget session in which Chennai Mayor R. Priya committed to adopting greener technologies in civic services. The newly approved vehicles will be equipped with modern fittings and will gradually replace the aging units. Once operational, the old vehicles will be scrapped in line with safety and environmental guidelines. Despite the upgrade, many residents believe stronger enforcement and sustained action are necessary to tackle the stray cattle issue. "The problem is not just about the vehicles," said Rajkumar Muthusamy, a resident of Arumbakkam. "We need stricter regulations, continuous drives to remove stray cattle, and penalties for owners who let their animals roam freely." Stray cattle have been a recurring nuisance in areas like T. Nagar, Anna Nagar, and Koyambedu, often leading to accidents and traffic disruptions. Civic officials say that along with introducing the new fleet, they plan to intensify monitoring and take stricter action against repeat offenders. The new vehicles are expected to be rolled out in phases over the coming months. The initiative is part of GCC's broader agenda to modernise civic infrastructure and align with sustainable urban development goals.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
After protests, Chennai corporation goes slow on waste-to-energy project
Amid growing opposition from residents, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has clarified that the proposed Waste-to-Energy (WtE) project at Kodungaiyur will be implemented only after obtaining public consent and securing mandatory environmental clearances . The assurance follows stiff resistance from the Federation of North Chennai Welfare Residents Association, which raised concerns about potential health hazards and environmental damage. In a letter issued by the Solid Waste Management (SWM) wing of the Chennai Corporation, officials stated that the emissions from the incinerator will be continuously monitored by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and the Corporation itself. Notably, the civic body said that over 40 per cent of the project's financial allocation will be dedicated to advanced monitoring systems and operational safeguards to ensure environmental safety. The Corporation further explained that the residual ash from the incinerator will be scientifically handled and disposed of in a sanitary landfill. "The residents of Kodungaiyur need not be concerned about health or hygiene risks," the letter emphasised. Chennai Mayor R. Priya reinforced this assurance by citing global examples. "A Waste-to-Energy plant operates right in the heart of Paris, close to the Eiffel Tower, without causing any health or environmental issues. The same technology and safety protocols will be adopted here," she said. The civic body also pointed out that ten similar WtE plants are already operational in various parts of India and have been functioning without adverse effects on public health or the environment. "Only after securing community consent and necessary environmental approvals will we proceed with the Kodungaiyur project," the GCC reiterated. Despite these assurances, residents and members of the Federation remained unconvinced. Dismissing the Mayor's claims, they demanded that the project be scrapped entirely. In a show of protest, hundreds of residents formed a human chain, voicing their opposition to the plant and warning of potential long-term consequences. The WtE facility is being planned to manage Chennai's growing solid waste crisis, as the existing dump yard in Kodungaiyur has become a source of pollution and ecological concern. However, unless the concerns of the local population are addressed adequately, the project faces an uphill battle for public acceptance.
