Latest news with #Rule110
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
MTC quietly scraps Gummidipoondi bus depot plan despite fund allocation
Chennai: The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has quietly shelved its long-pending plan to build a new bus depot at Gummidipoondi — a move that goes against the 2021 DMK election manifesto and a govt order that sanctioned funds for land acquisition. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now MTC says, "low frequency of bus operations," despite a daily ridership of nearly 20,000 commuters from the industrial and farming belt. The decision has sparked crictisms as the nearest MTC depots are located at Padiyanallur and Ponneri, both more than 20 km away. Residents of Gummidipoondi and its surrounding hamlets dependent on erratic services, forcing them to rely on expensive share autos and multiple indirect buses to reach Chennai and nearby towns like Tiruvallur. The project was first announced in 2013 under Rule 110 in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Land measuring 4.7 acres in Pethikuppam village, along NH-16, was identified. After years of delay over valuation disputes — during which land cost estimates rose from 2.75 crore to 4.09 crore and were later revised to 2.04 crore after a court directive — a govt order in 2021 sanctioned funds to acquire the land. Despite this, MTC dropped the plan in April this year, even as the DMK reiterated its commitment in the 2021 election manifesto and the state transport minister stated in May that construction would begin soon. The sudden withdrawal has left local residents and welfare associations disillusioned. "It's hard to understand why a project tracked for over 10 years was dropped just months after the government itself claimed it was about to start," said S Suresh Babu, president of the Billakuppam Welfare Association. The existing bus stand, constructed on a water-retention zone, floods frequently. To address this, the local body has proposed a new town bus stand on 1.7 acres — next to the same site originally identified for the MTC depot. "We urgently need to move the facility to a more viable location," said town panchayat executive officer M Baskaran. While DMK MLA T J Govindarajan said the depot plan is still alive, MTC managing director Prabhushankar T said there will be no depot as there is no demand for it.
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Stalin inaugurates 729 new homes for Sri Lankan Tamils across five TN districts
In a significant step toward improving the living conditions of Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday inaugurated 729 newly-built houses in rehabilitation camps across five districts. The inauguration was conducted via video conference from the State Secretariat, in the presence of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam. Constructed at a cost of Rs 38.76 crore, the houses are located in refugee camps situated in Villupuram, Tiruppur, Salem, Dharmapuri, and Virudhunagar districts. These homes are part of a broader rehabilitation initiative by the Tamil Nadu government, announced under Rule 110 in the state Assembly in August 2021, aimed at upgrading infrastructure and living conditions in Sri Lankan Tamil camps spread across the state. As per the government's long-term plan, over 3,510 houses are to be built at a total estimated cost of Rs 180.34 crore in 35 rehabilitation camps. Of this, 2,781 houses in 32 camps across 18 districts have already been completed and handed over to beneficiaries. The state has also undertaken supplementary infrastructure upgrades in these camps to improve the quality of life. These include new internal roads, upgraded electricity lines, and enhanced drinking water supply facilities. The total cost of these civil works stands at Rs 7.33 crore. According to an official release, the rehabilitation programme is part of the DMK government's commitment to provide a dignified life to Sri Lankan Tamils who have been residing in 67 government-run camps across 26 districts of Tamil Nadu for decades, after fleeing ethnic conflict in their homeland. The Chief Minister, in his remarks during the inauguration, reiterated his government's resolve to continue supporting refugee communities through improved housing, access to basic amenities, and welfare schemes. He also emphasised the importance of integration and inclusion, ensuring that displaced populations can live with dignity and security. The ongoing rehabilitation efforts are seen as a model approach in refugee welfare, combining both humanitarian concerns and infrastructural development, and have received appreciation from human rights observers and community leaders alike.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
State nationalises works of five Tamil writers, provides Rs 10L compensation
CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday provided compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to two writers and the legal heirs of three more writers, whose works have been nationalised by the Tamil Nadu government. He presented the cheques to them at the valedictory event of the Tamil Week celebrations, being observed for the first time this year in honour of the eminent poet Bharathidasan. The five writers are Kavikko Abdul Rahman, Mervin, A Pazhani, Ko Ma Kodhandam and Pulavar Ilama Tamilnavan. The cheques were presented to the legal heirs of the first three writers while the latter two received them in person. The celebration of Tamil Week starting this year was announced by the CM in the Assembly on April 22 under Rule 110, designating April 29 to May 5 to celebrate Tamil language and literature. On Monday, Stalin also distributed prizes to students from government music and fine arts colleges who won competitions various competitions held in honour of poet Bharathidasan's legacy. A government release noted that, over the last four years, the DMK-led government has additionally nationalised the works of 32 distinguished Tamil writers and scholars, including Nannan, Silampoli Chellappan, Viduthalai Rajendran, Prof R Kumaravelan, and Mammathu, with Rs 3.79 crore disbursed as compensation for 1,442 books. Ministers Duraimurugan, M Saminathan, P K Sekarbabu, R S Rajakannappan, Ma Subramanian, and other elected representatives also took part.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Residents face hardships as Gummidipoondi bus depot project remains non-starter for 12 years
The Gummidipoondi bus depot project, announced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly under Rule 110 in 2013 by then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, continues to remain a non-starter, causing significant hardships to residents of the area. The project involves acquiring over four acres of land in Pethikuppam village, Gummidipoondi taluk, in Thiruvallur district, located along the front face of National Highway 16. 'The absence of a dedicated bus depot has created challenges for daily commuters, affecting the livelihoods and well-being of our community members,' said S. Suresh Babu, president of the Billakuppam Village Welfare Association. 'The lack of a proper facility has not only reduced public transport efficiency but also increased travel time and passenger inconvenience,' he added. Frequency of local buses Gummidipoondi has its own bus stand located in the middle of the town, in a densely populated area. However, the frequency of local bus services to Chennai is lower than required. Moreover, long-distance buses stop on the National Highway, which is about one and a half kilometers away from the bus stand, causing inconvenience to the public. K. Munirathinam, a CPI(M) party functionary from the town, said, 'We are not well connected to the city, the district headquarters Thiruvallur, or nearby areas. One has to walk one and half kilometers from the town or take another vehicle catch long-distance buses on the National Highway. Most such long-distance buses do not come into the town.' He added that over 10,000 workers are employed at the SIPCOT near Gummidipoondi and most of them hail from other districts. Like locals, they are also facing difficulty commuting from the town. 'We have a bus stand inside the town, which connects it to several panchayats in and around the area. People from 61 panchayats use the bus stand as a connecting point. At present, the bus stand does not have a shelter for passengers to protect them from the scorching sun or the rains during monsoons. There are no bus bays either. It lacks basic amenities,' complained M. Kannan, a resident of Gummidipoondi. When asked about these complaints, DMK MLA T.J. Govindarajan had said in the Assembly, 'I have raised the question of setting up the proposed bus depot and bus stand off the National Highway.' New bus stand Replying to Mr. Govindarajan's question, Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar had said, taking into account the financial situation, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) depot will be set up in Gummidipoondi this year. There is a bus stand in Gummidipoondi town, where very few buses can be parked. 'So, the District Collector has identified a premise in Pethikuppam village for setting up a new bus stand, where buses will be operated to Chennai city. Both the bus stand and depot will be set up this year,' he said.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Residents face hardships as Gummidipoondi bus depot project remains stalled after 12 years
The Gummidipoondi bus depot project, announced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly under Rule 110 in 2013 by then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, continues to remain a non-starter, causing significant hardships to residents of the area. The project involves acquiring over four acres of land in Pethikuppam village, Gummidipoondi taluk, in Thiruvallur district, located along the front face of National Highway 16. 'The absence of a dedicated bus depot has created challenges for daily commuters, affecting the livelihoods and well-being of our community members,' said S. Suresh Babu, president of the Billakuppam Village Welfare Association. 'The lack of a proper facility has not only reduced public transport efficiency but also increased travel time and passenger inconvenience,' he added. Frequency of local buses Gummidipoondi has its own bus stand located in the middle of the town, in a densely populated area. However, the frequency of local bus services to Chennai is lower than required. Moreover, long-distance buses stop on the National Highway, which is about one and a half kilometers away from the bus stand, causing inconvenience to the public. K. Munirathinam, a CPI(M) party functionary from the town, said, 'We are not well connected to the city, the district headquarters Thiruvallur, or nearby areas. One has to walk one and half kilometers from the town or take another vehicle catch long-distance buses on the National Highway. Most such long-distance buses do not come into the town.' He added that over 10,000 workers are employed at the SIPCOT near Gummidipoondi and most of them hail from other districts. Like locals, they are also facing difficulty commuting from the town. 'We have a bus stand inside the town, which connects it to several panchayats in and around the area. People from 61 panchayats use the bus stand as a connecting point. At present, the bus stand does not have a shelter for passengers to protect them from the scorching sun or the rains during monsoons. There are no bus bays either. It lacks basic amenities,' complained M. Kannan, a resident of Gummidipoondi. When asked about these complaints, DMK MLA T.J. Govindarajan had said in the Assembly, 'I have raised the question of setting up the proposed bus depot and bus stand off the National Highway.' New bus stand Replying to Mr. Govindarajan's question, Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar had said, taking into account the financial situation, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) depot will be set up in Gummidipoondi this year. There is a bus stand in Gummidipoondi town, where very few buses can be parked. 'So, the District Collector has identified a premise in Pethikuppam village for setting up a new bus stand, where buses will be operated to Chennai city. Both the bus stand and depot will be set up this year,' he said.
