Latest news with #GreaterChennaiCorporation
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- New Indian Express
GCC staff held for issuing fake govt job orders
CHENNAI: A Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) staff was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly cheating a man of Rs 17.5 lakh by promising government jobs and issuing fake appointment orders. The accused, Muthuraman (55) of Otteri, who works as an assistant in the Tondiarpet zone of the city corporation, was arrested from Kundrathur. According to the police, the complaint was lodged by Jaysankar (49), who alleged that he had paid Rs 17.5 lakh to Muthuraman and his wife Usharani in January last year to secure government jobs at the secretariat for two of his relatives. In February 2024, Muthuraman handed over 'appointment orders' which were later found to be fake, the police said. Following a complaint, a case was registered and the police launched a search for the accused. After a detailed probe, Muthuraman was traced and arrested. His wife Usharani, also named in the case, is absconding, and efforts are on to trace her, the police said.
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Residents welcome Corpn. move to revamp Otteri Nullah, demand steps to remove encroachments
Many people living near Otteri Nullah face a crisis everyday. As untreated sewage and garbage accumulate in the waterbody, residents find the air becoming increasingly toxic by the day. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has rolled out a ₹65-crore plan to desilt and raise the walls of the 10.8-km-long Otteri Nullah. The maintenance of the canal was transferred from the Water Resources Department (WRD) to the GCC in October 2024. Meanwhile, residents say that unless the effluent discharge is stopped and encroachments removed, floods will continue to plague the city during monsoon, and health risks abound. Welcoming the GCC project, Sandhya Vedullapallai of the Federation of Anna Nagar Residents' Association said, 'A study to analyse the air quality, as well as measures to curb the release of effluents, such as household sewage and wastewater from factories in Pattaravakkam and Ambattur Industrial Estate, into the waterbody are crucial.' People living close to the canal need to replace their air conditioners every three months as the air is toxic, she added. According to her, dredging and rejuvenation alone will not fully prevent inundation in Anna Nagar and Perambur, and flood diversions have been planned to address this. Surplus water 'Flooding is mainly because of surplus water received by Otteri Nullah from Ayapakkam, Ambattur, Kolathur, and Villivakkam lakes during the monsoon. This leads to backflow of water from the Buckingham Canal, which in turn results in overflow from the canal,' Ms. Vedullapalli further said. According to J.M.S. Nagarajan of the Alliance of Residents' Welfare Associations and Anna Nagar Western Extension Association, a Madras High Court ruling had directed the Corporation Commissioner to look for encroachments adjacent to the Otteri Nullah, and remove them. 'But this exercise is yet to be undertaken. Encroachments and the dumping of garbage reduce the width of the Nullah considerably,' he added. Detailed Project Report The GCC's project is planned to be taken up in Royapuram, Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, and Anna Nagar Zones (V, VI and VIII) from near Padi Flyover to Buckingham Canal. The DPR proposed bridge and infrastructure improvements, canal maintenance and desilting, pollution control, prevention of encroachments, and the creation of a blue-green corridor. 'Bathymetry and drone LiDAR surveys have been conducted for topographical and hydraulic assessment. The tender for this project is expected to be finalised on July 7. Work will begin after this. Roughly ₹5 crore is allocated for cleaning waste and desilting alone. The project includes the removal of 2.95 lakh cubic metres of sludge, plastic waste, and weeds, using machines that can dig up to 8 metres,' an official in the Storm Water Drain Department of the Chennai Corporation said. 'Bathymetry and drone LiDAR surveys have been conducted for topographical and hydraulic assessment. The tender for this project is expected to be finalised on July 7. Work will begin after this. Roughly ₹5 crore is allocated only for cleaning waste and desilting. The project includes the removal of 2.95 lakh cubic metres of sludge, plastic waste, and weeds using machines that can dig up to 8 metres,' said an official in the Storm Water Drain Department of the Chennai Corporation. Otteri Nullah GCC overview Canal Name: Otteri Nullah Length: 10.8 km Longest drainage channel with multiple connecting drains, prone to encroachments. The Otteri Nullah begins at the 100 Feet Road near Anna Nagar 18th Street and flows through Anna Nagar, RV Nagar, VOC Nagar, Kilpauk Garden, Kellys, Perambur, and Kannigapuram, before discharging into the North Buckingham Canal near Basin Bridge The maximum depth of Otteri Nullah is 2.5 metres, according to Greater Chennai Corporation' DPR. It carries a flood discharge of 3,600 cusecs as per WRD records. The canal intersects with 32 cross culverts and has 27 existing bridges, of which seven are identified as major bottlenecks. Flooding issues in Chennai's Urban Drainage system GCC noted that there is an increasing frequency of urban flooding as experienced in 1943, 1976, 1985, 2005, 2015, 2017, 2021, and 2023 due to heavy rainfall and cyclonic activity. Hotspots After recurrent floods during the North-East Monsoon in 2017, 2021 and 2023, six flooding hotspots were identified along the canal: from Thirumangalam Road Bridge to GCC Park; along Anna Nagar 6th Avenue Road; near the K4 Police Station Bridge; in tree-lined street flanks; across the Avadi Road Bridge near a collection pond; and areas adjacent to SPR City and other high-rise developments, GCC's Detailed Project Report (DPR) stated.
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Chennai corporation to expand free bus service for school students
Chennai: Buoyed by the success of its pilot initiative, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to expand its free bus service for schoolchildren, aiming to provide safe and hassle-free transportation to a larger number of students from corporation-run schools. Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar announced the move on Thursday, stating that the current service -- benefiting 373 students through four dedicated buses -- will be scaled up in the coming months. The initiative, launched by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has received strong support from parents and the school community. 'Since the pilot project has been successful, we have asked the education officer to compile a list of students who require such services, especially those commuting from suburban and far-flung areas,' said the Deputy Mayor. He further said, 'Based on the data, we will expand the service to cover more schools and students.' The existing fleet of buses currently serves students from select GCC schools. Each bus is staffed with dedicated security personnel to ensure the safety of students during transit. Deputy Mayor Magesh Kumaar highlighted the overwhelming appreciation from parents, who see the service as a much-needed boost to public education. 'We are receiving heartfelt responses from families. This initiative is helping restore confidence in corporation schools and making them a viable alternative to private institutions,' he said. The timing of the expansion aligns with a notable spike in student admissions. The Deputy Mayor revealed that over 22,000 new students have enrolled in GCC schools for the current academic year -- a sign of growing trust in the public education system. He credited the leadership of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for driving reforms and improving infrastructure in city schools. Implemented at a cost of Rs 1.11 crore, the dedicated bus service will also be used for educational tours, inter-school competitions, and sports events, promoting the holistic development of students. The Corporation emphasised that its priority is to provide equitable access to quality education through safe and dependable transport options. With plans in motion to broaden the reach of the service, the GCC aims to remove transportation barriers that often prevent underprivileged children from attending school regularly, furthering its mission to strengthen public education in Chennai.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Pedestrian-friendly redevelopment in the offing for Lloyds Road
Chennai: Dusty, congested, and lined with encroachments — this is the current state of Lloyds Road, also known as Sir V P Raman Road. However, a 250-metre stretch of this key arterial road is set to get a facelift over the next four months. As part of Nammaku Naame scheme, real estate firm DRA will undertake the redevelopment in collaboration with Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). The stretch, from Anna Statue towards the beach, will be upgraded at an estimated 1 crore. As per the plan, the stretch will be made pedestrian-friendly, with walkways, public seating, landscaped spaces, energy-efficient LED lighting, and urban signage. "The aim is to create a cleaner, greener, and more people-centric corridor," said Ranjeeth Rathod, managing director of DRA whose corporate headquarters is located on the road. "Giving back to the very street that shaped our journey is meaningful to us," he added. Residents say the road has become chaotic due to diversions for metro rail construction and poor enforcement. "Eateries have taken over the pavements. It's difficult for children and the elderly to walk, especially with heavy vehicles passing through," said Elanchezhian, a resident. "The street has turned into a public urinal. Pavements are blocked by bikes and autos. The usable width of road has shrunk. Revamp is welcome, but regular maintenance is critical," added Senthil Kumar, another resident. The project is expected to be completed in four months.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Watch: Chennai salon owner gives free haircuts to Corporation school students
Meet K. Thanigaivel, who runs three branches of salons in Chennai. A small note is pasted on his branches — one each in Besant Nagar, Shastri Nagar in Adyar, and Kamarajar Avenue — it reads in Tamil: We proudly state that we are offering free haircuts to students studying in Greater Chennai Corporation schools. Teachers in schools check the boys' hair for length as they line up to go to class after the daily assembly. If it is beyond the standard length, the students are sent to Thanigaivel's 'Dhanush Salon' for a haircut that's free of cost. Read more: Scissors, Smiles, and Service: This salon owner offers free haircuts to Corporation and government school students Reporting: R. Aishwaryaa Video and editing: Shivaraj S. Voiceover: Sharmada V Script: Shikha Kumari
