Cooum restoration on fast track: Govt

Chennai: The ambitious 604.77 crore Cooum eco-restoration project is being carried out expeditiously, according to the TN government. It awaits environmental clearance from the Union ministry of environment and forests in August for the 9.6km stretch of the river between river mouth and Chetpet bridge.
In its affidavit to the National Green Tribunal southern region last week, the government said that 69 works falling in three phases would be completed in eight years and major components within three years.Desilting of the river is currently on between Chetpet bridge to Paruthipattu bridge and likely to be completed by August next year.
The state also has set the deadline for various modules. The surveyors of Chennai River Restoration Trust, PWD and Greater Chennai Corporation have begun fixing boundary stones and are likely to complete it by December end, and the local body has already commenced removal of solid waste from the banks. "So far, about 18,000 metric tonnes of solid waste has been cleared from the river banks. The probable date of completion is July 2018," the affidavit of the municipal administration and water supply department said. The fencing of river banks would be done by November 2018.
Three agencies, corporation, PWD and slum clearance board have been roped into conduct enumeration and biometric survey in the slums falling on the river banks. The affidavit said 55 slums have been identified and nearly 14,000 families zeroed in on for eviction. While biometric survey has been completed for 3,052 families, 1,019 families got temporary allotment from the slum clearance board so far.
The mandate of Metrowater is to plug all the outfalls in the river by providing interceptors and diversions and modular treatment plants. Tenders are under evaluation for four modular sewerage treatment plants. "Detailed project report has been completed for the underground sewerage scheme at Karambakkam and Nerkundram," the affidavit said. Tender has been floated for Nerkundram scheme. Far off, department of rural development has begun removing solid waste, fencing and developing vegetation begun in Adyalampattu, Seneerkuppam and Vanagaram village panchayats.