Cuddalore Online

Enough in reservoirs to last till next monsoon

2009-11-16T23:56:00.000+05:30

Enough in reservoirs to last till next monsoon: Metrowater officials - The Times of India

CHENNAI: The level in the Veeranam lake in Cuddalore is up to the brim following the heavy inflow but Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) officials say it does not mean any increase in the supply to the city. They, however, say the four reservoirs have enough to last till the next
monsoon.

On Tuesday, the level in the Veeranam lake was at 43.7 feet against its capacity of 47.5 feet. The inflow was 1,000 cusecs while the outflow maintained at 1,474 cusecs. On Wednesday, the inflow was 500 cusecs and the outflow 493 cusecs.

CMWSSB officials say only 180 Million litres per Day (MLD) is drawn from the lake for the city's needs. "Veeranam is primarily a irrigation lake from which we are drawing water for the city under a scheme. Of the out flow of 493 cusecs from Veeranam on Wednesday, 427 cusecs will go for agricultural use and 66 cusecs for Chennai," said an official.

Water from Veeranam reaches a pumping house in Settiya Thoppu near Cuddalore and goes to a treatment plant in Vadakuthu near Neyvelli. From there it reaches an overhead tank in Kadambuliyur and then, using gravity, 180 MLD is sent to the Porur headworks. "This then provides water to entire South Chennai," said the official.

Officials say the level in the four reservoirs supplying water to the city increased by 45% on Wednesday compared to Tuesday. On Tuesday, the combined storage was 4880 mcft against the capacity of 11,057 mcft. On Wednesday, it was 5039 mcft an increase of 159 mcft.

"The increase is mainly due to the rains. The average rainfall in Red Hills, Cholavaram, and Poondi is 325 mm for November. We have been receiving 2.3 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of Krishna water. This is expected to continue untill our reservoirs become full and we ask them to stop. This will ensure enough supply till the next monsoon," said the official.

Veeranam lake brimming at 43.5 ft

2009-11-16T23:51:00.000+05:30

Veeranam lake brimming at 43.5 ft - The Times of India
TNN 11 November 2009, 06:21am IST

CUDDALORE:
With heavy rains lashing the northern districts, the water level in the Veeranam lake in Cuddalore district, a prime water source for Chennai, is brimming over. Anxious to protect the embankment and prevent vast acres of crops in the tail-end of the delta region going under sheets of water, officials have decided to maintain the water level in the lake at 43.5 feet as against its full capacity of 47.5 feet.

The water level in the lake as on Tuesday stood at 43.7 feet. The inflow was 1,000 cusecs while the outflow was maintained at 1,474 cusecs. Water supply to Chennai from the lake for drinking water needs resumed a month ago and on Tuesday 73 cusecs of water was released to Chennai.

With the discharge of water from the lake, the crops on about 10,000 acres in Kattumannarkoil and Chidambaram have been submerged. The officials were of the view that the heavy rains had not damaged the crops yet but admitted that if the spell continued for another two days, the situation could turn bad.

Paddy was raised in 90% of the tail-end delta regions. "The next 48 hours is very crucial for the farmers in these regions. If rain continues, the loss of crops will be enormous and if not, there are possibilities of stagnant water draining out quickly. Majority of the crops submerged were raised a month ago and damage would be less in these areas," said Veeranam Pasana Vivasayeegal Sangam president KV Elankeeran.

But rains wrecked havoc to the betel leaves cultivated in about 3,000 to 5,000 acres of plantations near the lake including in places like Thiruchinnapuram, Nanthimangalam, Lalpettai and Elleri. "Betel leaves are water-intensive crops and are generally raised in regions near the lake. The crops raised in about 3,000 to 5,000 acres of land have submerged under water for the past one week and are completely damaged," Elankeeran said.

Cuddalore collector P Seetharaman while briefing reporters said the district administration submitted a proposal for Rs 23 crore to the state government for strengthening the banks of Veeranam Lake.

Detailing the preparedness of the district administration in tackling the north-east monsoon, the collector said the project will be taken up shortly. The project includes de-silting 28 supply channels of the lake at a cost of Rs 12.56 crore renovating the existing shutters at a cost of Rs 1.26 crore and erecting new shutters at Rs 46 lakh.

He revealed that a new bridge at a cost of Rs four crore connecting Nanthimangalam and Poolanmedu in Kattumannarkoil taluk will be constructed, another new bridge at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore connecting Nanamedu and Uppalavadu and a new regulator at a cost of Rs six crore will be erected at VNS anicut.

"Crops cultivated in about 20,500 acres of land have been submerged under water, but the incessant rain has not damaged the crops," he claimed.

Four persons and four cattle have been killed in rain-related accidents. Thirty-two houses were completely damaged and 135 houses partially damaged.

Veeranam project will avert flooding

2009-11-16T23:42:00.001+05:30

New project will avert flooding - The Hindu

CUDDALORE: The New Veeranam Project, estimated to cost Rs.23 crore, has been drafted to ensure the stability of the Veeranam tank and also to avert flooding in the ayacut areas, according to P.Seetharaman, District Collector.

Addressing a press conference here today on the preparedness of the administration to tackle the cyclone and flood situation in district the Collector said that the new project envisaged repairing and replacing of the damaged sluices, reinforcing the bunds, and, clearing the inlet and outlet channels of the outgrowths and other encroachments.

Based on deliberations with the stakeholders on the safety of the tank it had been decided to maintain the water level at 43.9 ft (maximum 47.5 ft). Therefore, the entire inflow of 3000 cusecs of water, realized through the Sengal Odai and the Karuvatti Odai, was being discharged.

However, to prevent flooding in the downstream the outflow through the Velliyangal Odai had been reduced from 500 cusecs to 250 cusecs to allay the fears of the ayacutdars about the possible inundation of the crops. Moreover, a portion of the excesses too was being drained in the Vellar.

A canal for a length of 5.5 km had been dug up to safely carry the water pumped out from the Neyveli Lignite Corporation mines. Earlier, the Paravanar fed by the water from the mines used to breach its course and inflict heavy damage to the standing crops.

The Collector also stated that of the 296 water sources in the district 198 were filled to the brim. In 50,000 hectares under samba crops the transplantation process was completed in 45,000 ha but if the rain continued the seedlings would perish. Water hyacinth choking the waterways in Chidambaram block were being removed.

According to a preliminary estimate about 57 villages in the district—21 in Cuddalore, 13 in Kattumannarkoil, 12 in Chidambaram, five in Vriddhachalam and three in Panruti– were facing the threat of inundation.

Cyclone shelters

Mr.Seetharaman observed that all the 21 cyclone shelters—13 in Chidambaram block and eight in Cuddalore block—had been kept in readiness to accommodate those who might get displaced by natural disasters.

A buffer stock of 818 tonnes of rice was kept ready (stored in at least 237 fair price shops in the vulnerable areas) to feed the people during exigency.

Rescue boats and fire service personnel had been on the alert to evict the people from the areas likely to be affected by flood.

An infantry battalion had been kept ready in the Secundarabad barracks and whenever warranted they would move in, the Collector added.

Outdated information on Cuddalore website

2009-09-15T23:25:00.000+05:30

Outdated information on Cuddalore website - Deccan Chronicle

September 15th, 2009
By Our Correspondent

Cuddalore, Sept.14: At a time when the Tamil Nadu government is striving to take the benefits of IT to the rural masses to ensure hassle-free and transparent services, the official website of the Cuddalore district administration is lagging behind. Just log on to www.cuddalore.tn.nic.in and you find that important information pertaining to politics and bureaucracy has not been updated in the past few months.

Who represents the Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituency? According to the website, it is Mr K. Venkatapathy and not Congress MP K.S. Azhagiri. Similarly, the Chidambaram MP is Mr E. Ponnuswamy and not Mr Thol. Thirumavalavan. Not only politics but also bureaucracy is hit by thistime freeze. Though the former superintendent of police Pradeep Kumar has been transferred as SP to Ramanathapuram district, he still retains his post in the telephone directory. This is not all. A few district-level officials who have retired from service till retain their posts on the website. Though Cuddalore is one among the 16 districts in the state which have implemented the online system of filing petitions for redressal of public grievances, important statistical information on various departments on the website have not been updated much to the dismay of the public. Interestingly, more information is available on the Internet on Cuddalore than the official website.

Sources NIC, on condition of anonymity, told Deccan Chronicle that the site was not updated, as officials are not willing to provide information on the changes in the departments. "Though we remind them to provide information at least once a month, they do not bother to update us," they said.

Large portion of Cuddalore will be under water in 50-100 years

2009-09-08T08:00:00.001+05:30

India launching major project to study climate change (Lead) - ThaiIndian

By Soudhriti Bhabani
Kolkata, Sep 6 (IANS) At least 220 Indian scientists and 127 research organisations are joining hands for a massive study to monitor climate change in different parts of the country. Climate change in India has led to a rise in sea levels while storm surges in coastal areas have also become a major concern for environmental authorities.

According to Ministry of Environment and Forests officials, the report of their study will be released in November next year.

“We’ve seen that the shoreline across the country is getting affected due to the sea-level rise. Erosion is going to take place and it will cause a major damage and human displacement in the coastal parts of the Bay of Bengal,” said Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services director S.S.C. Shenoi.

“In Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu) also a large portion of land is likely to go under water in next 50-100 years,” he said.

Despite only about six percent of the global tropical cyclones affecting the coastal areas along the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, intensity of cyclonic storms has gone up, said S.K. Dube, professor at the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences of the Indian Institute of Technology - Delhi (IIT-Delhi).

“Storm surge has also become a major cause for concern in several coastal areas along the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. We have noticed that the intensity of cyclonic storms has increased though only 5-6 percent of global tropical cyclones affect these two areas. It’s also because of climate change,” Dube said.

The climate study will enable the scientists to gauge the changing aspects of the environment properly.

“This will be the first comprehensive scientific climate assessment study carried out in different regions of the country. India has to build its own capacity to study what is happening to our ecology,” Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh told a recent South Asian seminar on climate change organised by the Delhi-based green body Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in the capital.

The minister said: “So far, our knowledge of climate change in the country is mostly impressionistic and not robust. With the climate study being carried out in various places — including glacial retreat in the Himalayan region and the sea-level rise in coastal states of India — we’ll be able to gauge the changing aspects of our environment properly.”

Some state governments have also been asked to prepare their own climate action plans focussing on environmental changes.

Talking about research collaboration, Ramesh said India could always enter into technology development and transfer activities with foreign nations especially on the subject of the climate change survey.

Ramesh said India was also on its way to launching its own satellite to monitor atmospheric greenhouse gases.

(Soudhriti Bhabani can be contacted at soudhriti.b@ians.in)

Closure order issued to units evokes a mixed response

2009-09-02T07:41:00.000+05:30

Closure order issued to units evokes a mixed response - The Hindu

Special Correspondent

Two units in SIPCOT estate ordered closed for air pollution

CUDDALORE: The closure orders issued by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to two units in the SIPCOT Industrial Estate here have evoked a mixed response.

According to a statement from D. Sekar, District Environmental Engineer, TNPCB, Cuddalore, the air survey was conducted in the vicinity of the units -- Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd and Tagros Chemicals India Ltd -- had revealed presence of carcinogenic volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the ambient air.

As the units had failed to implement adequate pollution control measures and safeguard public health and environment, direction for their closure and stoppage of power supply were issued under Section 31-A of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981. The power supply was disconnected the same evening.

A group of residents from Kudikadu staged a demonstration in front of the Collectorate here on Monday endorsing the action of the TNPCB and calling for the permanent closure of the units.

They claimed that the untreated effluents from these units were causing severe air pollution and also affecting the quality of groundwater, thereby posing health hazards. They urged the authorities to safeguard the welfare of people living in the surrounding areas.

Even while they were raising slogans against the units, another group of people led by R. Sridhar of the SIPCOT CITU staged a counter agitation.

Mr Sridhar said the closure of the units would affect the livelihood of many persons. He pointed out that of 30 units initially established in the industrial estate, 20 had closed down for various reasons. The authorities must strictly enforce pollution control norms and allow the units to function within the parameters.

TNPCB serves closure notice to Cuddalore plant of Shasun Chemicals

2009-09-01T10:26:00.001+05:30

TNPCB serves closure notice to Cuddalore plant of Shasun Chemicals

Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
PharmaBiz.com

The pharma major, Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd, has been served a notice by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) asking it to shut down the company's plant located in the SIPCOT Industrial Estate in Cuddalore for not taking any measures to contain pollution, according to D Shekhar, district environment officer, Cuddalore.

The electricity connection to the unit was disconnected on Friday night after a series of failed talks with the district administration on the closure issue.

He said the plant of Shasun at the SIPCOT is more than 20 years old. It has been emitting Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and foul odour into air, which have created health problems in the area. He said the department got complaints from the public and some social organizations regarding this. Raising the same issue, the TNPCB has also given another closure notice to a pesticide manufacturing company operating in the same locality.

According to sources in the TNPCB, the Shasun was given a show cause notice two months ago, but the reply the company provided was not satisfactory. "Following which we had to take action to check the emissions," the sources said.

When sources at the Chennai office of the Shasun Chemicals refused to respond to queries from Pharmabiz, people in their Mumbai office said they are sorting out the issues to find an immediate solution. "Our Cuddalore Unit has received a closure notice from the TNPCB. We are in talks with the concerned authorities for speedy solution," they told this correspondent.

Emission level of VOC and foul odor from both the units (Shasun and Tagore Chemicals) in the area were found to be far in excess of the approved limit. According to sources, it caused unbearable stench in the area, giving rise to strong objection from the residents and other NGOs. The officer said the study conducted by the Pollution Control Board has proved that the Units failed to keep the odor level with in their limit. The district officer asserted that only after the companies come out with crystal clear evidence to contain the emission, they would be further allowed to operate.

A study of air pollution conducted by the Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, in and around SIPCOT Chemical Industrial Estate, revealed that there were 94 chemicals in the ambient air, including 15 that were known hazardo
us air pollutants. The report also estimates that SIPCOT -Cuddalore residents are at least 2000 times more likely to contract cancer in their lifetimes due to their exposure to high levels of toxic gases from chemical industries in the region.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.

Closure notice served on two SIPCOT units

2009-09-01T10:24:00.000+05:30

Closure notice served on two SIPCOT units - The Hindu

Special Correspondent

CUDDALORE: The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has served “closure notice” on a pharmaceutical unit and a pesticide unit located in the SIPCOT Industrial Estate here for causing atmospheric pollution.

TNPCB sources told The Hindu that as a preliminary step, power supply to Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd. (a pharmaceutical company), and, Tagros Chemicals Ltd. (a generic pesticide manufacturer) was cut on Friday.

Emission level of volatile organic compound (VOC) from both the units was found to be far in excess of the approved limit. It caused unbearable stench in the area, giving rise to strong objection from the residents and a spate of complaints from passers by.

A study conducted by the TNPCB also proved that the two units failed to keep odour level within the limit and did not contain pollution. Therefore, show cause notices were served on the units as to why action should not be taken against them.

As the companies had not come out with verifiable action in this direction, closure notices were issued.

The sources said that only after the companies proved beyond doubt that they had contained the emission, they would be allowed to operate.

Work for Integrated Textile Processing Park put on hold?

2009-08-23T11:37:00.004+05:30

Cotton Corporation sales depots in Coimbatore, Madurai - The Hindu

The Cotton Corporation of India will open sales depots in Coimbatore and Madurai in the coming cotton season (October 2009-September 2010), according to Union Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran.

Speaking at the platinum jubilee of the Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) here on Saturday, he said this would reduce the cotton price by approximately Rs.2 a kg for the textile mills in Tamil Nadu. The corporation would store the cotton produced in Gujarat and Maharashtra in the godowns here and sell it to local mills. The mills should pass down this benefit, he said.

The SIMA planned to establish a processing park at Cuddalore five years ago. He urged the association to proceed with the project and invest at Cuddalore. He also called upon the association to set up a power plant to overcome the power crisis. The Ministry had launched a portal for the sales of handicrafts and handlooms. .

Union Minister of State for Textiles Panabaaka Lakshmi urged the industry to target untapped markets. It was essential to change the product profile and go in for value addition. The Ministry had formed a 47-member working group to draft the National Fibre Policy.

Minister for Handlooms and Textiles K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran said textiles was an agro-related sector and should be protected. Currently, it faced challenges on several fronts. Minister for Rural Industries Pongalur N. Palanisamy said the industry should go in for finished goods and value-addition.

Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry Venu Srinivasan said that in the State, Coimbatore had been the cradle of entrepreneurship. The textile industry was one of the most important steps that India took in industrialisation.

T.Kannan, chairman of the organising committee of the platinum jubilee, said the association was establishing a textile training institute here jointly with the PSG Institutions. The institute would provide the industry with quality technicians. Lakshmi Machine Works had given the entire range of spinning machinery for the institute.

In response to the Minister’s suggestion on the power project, SIMA chairman K.V.Srinivasan said the association would work on it.

The SIMA had not shelved the Cuddalore processing park project and it would come up.

Vijay Venkataswamy, a former chairman of the association, spoke about the textile industry and the efforts of the association during the last 75 years.

Deputy chairman of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry Shishir Jaipuria and chairman of the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council V.S. Velayutham offered their felicitations.

Tsunami warning for India

2009-08-11T03:10:00.004+05:30

Tsunami warning for India, following a 7.6 magnitude quake [Aug 10, 2009. 19:56 GMT] in Indian Ocean. Inform people near coastal areas, as soon as possible.

Source:
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/280883,tsunami-warning-follows-76-magnitude-quake-in-indian-ocean.html

[update] As per reuters, this warning is now called off.
Source:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP474863.htm

Deadline to remove encroachments

2009-08-03T08:31:00.001+05:30

Deadline to remove encroachments - The Hindu

Special Correspondent

CUDDALORE: Collector P. Seetharaman has fixed August 15 as the deadline for removal of all sorts of encroachments on waterways and water sources.

Following a video-conference session with K. Sathyagopal, Commissioner, Land Management, Chennai, on Friday, the Collector instructed the police and officials to comply with the deadline.

Silver Beach boat house to be renovated

2009-08-02T08:48:00.001+05:30

Boat house to be renovated - The Hindu

Staff Reporter

CUDDALORE: The district administration has decided to renovate the boat house on the Silver Beach.

Shortly after inspecting the beach, Cuddalore Collector P. Seetharaman told The Hindu that the administration planned to re-start jolly ride from the beach after renovating the boat house. The ride was stopped after sand accumulated on the boat house, he said.

Sheds at the boat house would be provided sheets that could withstand corrosion, he added.

Cuddalore - Sirkazhi trial run

2009-07-31T06:48:00.008+05:30

Gauge conversion between Cuddalore [kadaloor] and Sirkazhi [seerkaazhi] was taken as a part of broad gauge conversion between Villupuram [vizhuppuram] and Mayiladuturai [mayilaaduthu'rai]. Work on this 52KM stretch is complete and the trial run is scheduled for today (31-Jul-2009).

Details of the project as I know from various dailies:

Project cost:	Rs. 400 crores
Total Length:	122 KM - between Villupuram and Mayiladuturai
Project start date:	January-2007
Phase I:	Sirkazhi - Mayiladuturai (22KM)
Phase I completion date:	Jan 28, 2009
Phase II:	Cuddalore Old Town - Villupuram (48KM)
Phase II completion date:	Mar 28, 2009
Phase III:	Cuddalore Old Town - Sirkazhi (52KM)
Phase III completion date:	Jul 31, 2009
No. of bridges:	32
No. of culverts:	380
No. of gates:	100 (52 - manned, 48 – unmanned)

Cuddalore – By the coast

2009-07-29T21:28:00.001+05:30

Cuddalore – By the coast by - PondicherryTrip

20kms from Pondicherry, Cuddalore is a short drive away and promises a very different experience for the tourist.

Cuddalore as the name suggests, is a place by the sea. Its association with water goes a step further. The town is also situated at the point where the Rivers Ponnaiyar and the Gadilam often ravage it with flash floods. A sea-port of yore and an important temple town, Cuddalore is also famous for its beaches and its star attraction, the Pichavaram mangrove forest. The British also left their own imprint on the town with various monuments that are now part of the town’s heritage. Industry also plays an important role here with manufacturing units like SIPCOT and the Neyveli Lignite factory near by.

Pondicherry and Chidambaram also promise tourist attractions and have good access from here. Cuddalore is an interesting stop in the Tamil Nadu tourism circuit.

Cuddalore brought under Villupuram town planning office

2009-07-29T21:22:00.001+05:30

New local planning authority planned for Tiruvallur region - The Times of India

CHENNAI: The state government has announced the formation of a new local planning authority for Tiruvallur region to give an impetus to the growth of the district headquarters and surrounding areas.

While announcing this in the Assembly on Tuesday, housing minister I Periasami said development had reached many parts of Tiruvallur district because a substantial portion of Chennai Metropolitan Area fell under the adjacent district. It is high time its growth was regulated and hence a local planning authority was essential, he said.

The government has decided to prepare detailed master plans for Mamallapuram, Ariyalur and Sriperumbudur areas with the assistance of geo-informatics system, said Periasami.

He also said the Directorate of Town and Country Planning regional office in Chengalpet would be bifurcated with two headquarters Chengalpet and Villupuram. While Kancheepuram and Sriperumbudur will remain attached to Chengalpet regional office, Cuddalore is being brought under Villupuram regional office.

CUSECS Pipe Breaks; Village Canal and River Uppanar Contaminated

2009-07-26T22:35:00.002+05:30

CUSECS Pipe Breaks; Village Canal and River Uppanar Contaminated - SIPCOTCuddalore.com

Cuddalore 9 July 2009: Residents of Eachangadu village reported a breakage and leak in CUSECS pipeline at about 2.30 am today. This pipeline collects water from Pioneer Jellice, Arkema Peroxides, Bayer and Pandian Chemicals. This leak was detected by Shivaraman of Eachangadu village after he noticed a strong rotten dead body like chemical odour at the village entrance. Upon further investigation into the source of the smell, Shivaraman discovered the breakage in the pipeline and the effluent overflow into the Eachangadu canal. The point of overflow was on the western side of the SPIC boundary wall between SPIC and the East Coast Road. SACEM monitors alerted the CUSECS operators at the gates of Pioneer Jellice about the leak at around 2.45 am and subsequently it took the operators almost 3 hours to shut the pump. According to the reports the effluent had a white layer on top and had a very strong rotten dead body odour to it.

A complaint has been sent to the TNPCB and District Administration demanding action on the errant officials and scientific clean up of the contaminated sites.

Pollution update

2009-07-26T22:26:00.002+05:30

Below are SIPCOT pollution related news published over past two months in www.sipcotcuddalore.com

Provide water to affected SIPCOT villages: Collector says - SIPCOTCuddalore.com

CUDDALORE, 20 June, 2009 - SIPCOT villages suffering from shortage of drinking water due to overdrawal of water by SIPCOT and groundwater pollution should be given clean water from the Tamilnadu Water Supply and Drainage Board's joint water project. Any expense for the same should be recovered from SIPCOT industries, said the Cuddalore district collector during a quarterly meeting on health, environment and safety issues of the SIPCOT industrial area held on 18 June, 2009. Attended by elected village representatives, SACEM members, SIPCOT and Factories Inspectorate officials and industry representatives, the meeting covered a range of topics from state of pollution in SIPCOT to progress made on issues discussed at the previous meeting in February 2009 full story>>

Pioneer discharges effluent illegally into River Uppanar - SIPCOTCuddalore.com

Cuddalore 9 July 2009: SACEM monitors reported illegal discharge of effluents from Pioneer Jellice Ltd into the Kuttaikaran Koil Viakal (canal) leading to river Uppanar at about 6 am today. This discharge took place just half an hour after the CUSECS pipeline shut its operation due to a breakage near Eachangadu village earlier in the morning. Monitors noticed effluent with white layer and strong rotten dead body odour flowing from the northern side of the unit into the canal.

A complaint has been sent to the TNPCB and District Administration demanding action on the industry for repeatedly resorting to illegal means to discharge their effluent and thereby violating the law.

Buckingham canal revival in limbo

2009-07-26T04:25:00.003+05:30

Buckingham canal revival in limbo - The Times of India

CHENNAI: The much-awaited revival of the Buckingham canal as part of the Centre's Inland Waterway Project is in limbo even nine months after the passage of the Inland Waterways Bill in Parliament.

Though the state public works department (PWD) has submitted a proposal at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore to the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for the dredging and cleaning of the 50-km stretch from Muttukadu [muttu-k-kaadu] creek to Edaiyur creek near Kalpakkam [kal-paakkam] in the first phase of the project, no headway has been made so far.

"The works have gained momentum in neighbouring Kerala, but the project has been limping along in our state. The first phase of the work was originally scheduled to commence in February this year," official sources said.

The chairman of IWAI visited the proposed sites in November 2008 and asked the PWD to submit a proposal for the dredging and cleaning of the stretch as per guidelines issued by the IWAI. It was also proposed to launch ferry service in the creek on an experimental basis to exploit the tourism potential. But, no progress has been made even after the submission of the proposal.

The revival of Buckingham project has reportedly lost momentum after a change of guard in the Union shipping ministry following elections.

The IWAI has, however, sanctioned Rs 16.63 crore to establish inland waterway terminals at Bolgatty Island and Willingdon Island in areas coming under the Cochin Port Trust in Kerala.

The Buckingham canal, which is to be revived at an estimated cost of Rs 450-500 crore, is falling under the National Waterway - IV connecting Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry.

Under the project envisaged to promote inland water transport, the north Buckingham Canal will be revived and made naviagable from Arangam village on the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border to Ennore creek for a distance of 58 km and also the south Buckingham canal from Sholinganallur [choazhingga-:nalloor] to Marakkanam [marak-kaa'nam], a distance of 105 km. However, the central portion of the canal, running to a length of 7.1 km, could not be made navigable due to construction of Mass Rapid Transport System and encroachments.

It has also been planned to construct terminals at Pulicat lake, Basin Bridge, Palavakkam [paala-vaakkam], Alamparai [aalamparai], Kazhanchi and Cuddalore [kadaloor] for loading and unloading of goods. While the PWD will take up the dredging and cleaning work, the IWAI will create required infrastructure such as terminals (fixed or floating) and modification of existing bridges and culverts.

Proposal to convert ECR into four lane

2009-07-24T06:50:00.005+05:30

Rs.63 lakhs had been allocated for the feasibility report and environmental assessment work for coverting ECR stretch between Chennai and Puducherry [puthuchcheari] into four lanes. This was allocated late last year. If any of you know about the progress of the work, please share us.

Fund for port development in Cuddalore district

2009-07-23T23:43:00.006+05:30

Rs. 1000 crore is allocated for the development of port in Cuddalore. But it is not clear whether this fund will be spent on Cuddalore Port at Old Town area or on Thiruchopuram [thiruchchoapuram] port (to the south of Cuddalore Port) being developed by Nagarjuna Oil Corporation Limited (NOCL).

Here is a related article:

In principle approval from Centre to construct 4 harbours - Chennai Online

Jul 11, 2009

Chennai, July 10: The Tamil Nadu Government has got in principle approval from the Centre to construct four harbours at a cost of Rs 3,600 crore, minister for highways and minor ports, Vellakovil M P Swaminathan said today.

Replying to demands for the Highways and Minor Ports Department in the assembly, he said the Centre has approved construction of a Rs 1500 crore harbour near Paramankeni village in Kancheepuram district to handle coal needs for the proposed 4,000 MW ultra mega power project in the district.

Swaminathan said another harbour would be built at Udankudi in Tuticorin district at an estimated cost of Rs 350 crore to handle coal requirements of the proposed 1600 MW power station of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.

The Minister said following a request by Marg Swarna Bhoomi Board private Limited, a private harbour would also be constructed near Kanchipuram district at a cost of Rs 750 crore. This harbour would be used to repair ships, he added.

Swaminathan said IL&FS proposed to set up a 4,000 MW power plant in Cuddalore district. "In order to facilitate coal requirement for the plant,the government proposes to construct another harbour at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore in the area", he added. - Agencies

Chennai-Cuddalore east coast railway line updates

2009-07-22T01:50:00.018+05:30

The alignment survey results for the proposed Chennai-Cuddalore east coast railway line is out. Perungudi will be the starting point. Guess trains will stop both at Tirupadiripuliyur [thiruppaathirippuliyoor] and Cuddalore [kadaloor] OT junction. A new junction is proposed at Puducherry [puthuchcheari].

Below is the proposed alignment. This can be changed.

01. Perungudi (0 Km)
02. Solinganallur(9.6 Km - Crossing)
03. Kovalam (23.6 Km - Crossing)
04. Tirupporur (30.1 Km - Crossing)
05. Mahabalipuram (43.7 Km - Crossing)
06. Kalpakkam (49.3 Km - Halt)
07. Sadurangappattinam(52.7 Km - Crossing)
08. Kuvattur (64.5 Km - Crossing)
09. Cheyyur (80.2 Km - Crossing)
10. Chunampet (92.8 Km - Halt)
11. Marakkanam (96.6 Km - Crossing)
12. Kunimedu (112 Km - Crossing)
13. Kuilappalayam (125.6 Km - Crossing)
14. Jipmer (131.1 Km - Halt)
15. Pondichery (139.1 Km - Terminal)
16. New Pondichery (147.4 Km - Junction)
17. Bahoor (161.9 Km - Crossing)
18. Varakalpattu (170.2 Km - Existing Station in VM - CUPJ Line - Proposed Junction)
19. Tiruppadirippuliyur (175.3 Km - Existing Crossing Station)
20. Cuddalore Port (179.2 Km - Existing junction)

General expectation of people from Cuddalore and Puducherry will be to start the project from the Cuddalore end, as this will ease the travel between these towns even before the actual project is complete.

As of now it is unclear whether train services between Cuddalore and Puducherry will be introduced. If introduced the travel time could be reduced to 15 minutes.

Source: Indian Railways Southern Zone discussion forum

Related stories:

Indian Railways Southern Zone's discussion forum - Cuddalore Online March 14, 2009

Blueprint for E Coast rail link to Cuddalore ready - The Times of India June 08, 2008

Developements in the proposed Cuddalore - Chennai rail project - Cuddalore Online June 04, 2006

More details on Cuddalore - Chennai rail project - Cuddalore Online October 06, 2005

Cuddalore - Pondicherry connection - Cuddalore Online October 05, 2005

Chennai-Pondicherry rail ? NO it must be Chennai-Cuddalore - Cuddalore Online June 01, 2005

Developments in Cuddalore power project

2009-07-22T01:29:00.002+05:30

Sivasankaran looks south for power play - LiveMint

The ace deal maker could take a 26% stake in the 4,000MW project being developed by IL&FS in Tamil Nadu

Baiju Kalesh

Mumbai: Investor C. Sivasankaran, known for buying companies low and selling high, is in talks to buy a 26% stake in a 4,000MW power plant at Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, promoted by Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd, or IL&FS, three people familiar with the development said.

Sivasankaran, chairman of the Sterling group that operates in businesses as diverse as mobile telephony and coffee bars, will buy the stake through an unlisted group company, Siva Ventures Ltd, they added.

IL&FS, one of India’s leading infrastructure development and finance firms, will build the power project in four phases of 1,000MW each, at an investment of about Rs18,000 crore, a senior IL&FS executive said. Going by the IL&FS estimate, the cost of production of 1MW would be around Rs4.5 crore.

“Sivasankaran is one of the investors and we are taking to eight others,” added the ILF&S executive who asked not to be identified as the deal has not yet been signed with prospective investors.

One of the two other people mentioned in the first instance is involved with the proposed power project and the other is close to Sivasankaran. Both asked not to be identified because the deal is yet to be signed.

IL&FS and Siva Ventures will hold 26% stake each in the proposed power project, the largest private sector power plant in the southern state, and the remaining 48% stake will be sold to several domestic and international investors.

Vaidyanathan Srinivasan, Siva Ventures’s director, said over the phone: “As a private equity fund, we look at various projects. Some discussion must have taken place but nothing has happened as yet.”

At a debt-equity ratio of 70:30, the Rs18,000 crore project will need Rs5,400 crore equity. For their 52% stake, ILF&S and Sivasankaran will bring in Rs1,404 crore each as equity.

The 3,960MW Sasan ultra mega power project in Madhya Pradesh, one of India’s largest coal-based power projects, promoted by the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, has a 75:25 debt-equity ratio. It has recently achieved its financial closure. While banks and financial institutions will lend Rs14,550 crore, the promoters are chipping in Rs4,850 crore in the form of equity.

IL&FS and Sivasankaran have begun discussions with Indonesia’s Bumi Resources Tbk, Asia’s largest coal miner, to source coal for the project and are also scouting for coal mines in Indonesia, Australia and Africa, one of the three people said.

Tata Power Ltd, India’s second largest utility firm by sales, has purchased a 30% stake in Kaltium Prima Coal and Arutumin Coal mines in Indonesia that entitles the company to source 10 million tonnes of coal to fire its 4,000MW ultra mega power project near Mundra port in Gujarat.

The relationship between Sivasankaran and IL&FS dates back to 2000 when the financial institution lent Rs100 crore to Aircel, a cellular firm Sivasankaran sold to Maxis Telecommunications Bhd of Malaysia in 2005.

IL&FS had won a mandate to raise $400 million for the telco from private equity funds and financial investors but Sivasankarn sold his firm before this transaction was completed.

Tamil Nadu has been keen to promote private sector investment in power to bridge its 1,700MW deficit that sometimes causes power cuts as long as eight hours a day.

baiju.k@livemint.com

Security tightened around Cuddalore Port

2009-07-10T00:47:00.000+05:30

Security tightened around Cuddalore Port - The Hindu

A.V.Ragunathan

Vital industries under security blanket

Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy

Staying alert: Security personnel inspecting the coast in Cuddalore on Wednesday.

CUDDALORE: Security has been tightened around the Cuddalore Port as part of Operation Barricade. Though the port is defunct, officials are cautious that no strangers gain surreptitious entry into it.

The operation is being kept as a closely guarded secret. But for the top brass, lower-level officials and personnel of various security agencies have no inkling about its true purport.

Unlike other mock drills , Operation Barricade is being carried out in utmost secrecy.
Guarding the sea route

The idea is to take the officials by surprise though an announcement of “infiltration” of anti-social elements who manage to enter the mainland through the sea route. Superintendent of Police Ashwin M. Kotnis told The Hindu that the entire administrative machinery was involved in the operation. Quick reaction teams were deployed at crucial points to guard vital installations.

Personnel of the Coast Guard, Coastal Security Group, local police, Intelligence Bureau and Port officials were involved in the operation, which is being conducted in all coastal villages of the district.
Coastal Vigilance Committees

Mr. Kotnis said that all 43 Coastal Vigilance Committees had been put on alert and their members told to report immediately to the police the citing of any suspicious movement.

Security personnel were doing the rounds at the Cuddalore Port area, Killai, Reddichavadi and so on.

Eleven additional checkpoints had been created to monitor vehicular movement.

Power generating units in the Neyveli Lignite Corporation and the SIPCOT Industrial Estate were now under security blanket. Mr. Kotnis said that at present there was no security threat. But, the operation would keep the personnel on their toes and hone their skills to deal with exigencies.

However, the personnel were not provided weapons to avoid people from panicking, Mr. Kotnis said.

Closure notice issued to Cuddalore pharma unit

2009-06-07T15:51:00.001+05:30

Closure notice issued to Cuddalore pharma unit - The Hindu

5 June 2009

Special Correspondent
The Hindu

It produced a chemical without the consent of TNPCB

CUDDALORE: The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has issued closure notice to Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., located in SIPCOT Industrial Estate complex here, for producing a chemical without its consent.

Board sources said that the TNPCB had given permission to the company to produce a chemical product named 6-APA but it started to bring out a new product named 7-AVNA.

Following complaints from the Cuddalore District Consumer Protection Organisation, the Golabal Environment Monitoring and the SIPCOT Area Community Environment Monitoring, the Board inspected the company and detected the violation.

Health hazards

According to M. Nizamudeen, executive secretary of the consumer protection organisation, the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute had already come out with findings that environment in the industrial estate was highly polluted to the extent of causing health hazards to people.

Studies conducted by these three organisations had revealed that certain units in the industrial estate were producing unauthorised products thereby aggravating the problem.

Hence, they took up the issue with the State government and the TNPCB, following which the Cuddalore District Environmental Engineer (DEE) was deputed to inspect the pharma company.

Company records

From records of the company, the DEE found out that the firm had dispatched unauthorised products from its premises on March 26, 31 and April 14 and 19.

The company took the stand that the unit only carried out a trial production of the new product and given an assurance to the TNPCB that it would not go ahead with its production without the latter's consent.

Therefore, the Board sources said that the company had knowingly violated rules.

Hence, invoking Section 33A of the Water (Prevention and control of pollution) Act 1974 and Section 31A of the Air (Prevention and control of pollution) Act 1981, the TNPCB had issued closure notice to the company.

It had also directed the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board to stop power supply to the unit forthwith.

Pollution Levels Continue to be High in SIPCOT Cuddalore

2009-06-07T15:45:00.002+05:30

Pollution Levels Continue to be High in SIPCOT Cuddalore - SIPCOTCuddalore.com

Cuddalore, 20 May 2009: The pollution levels in SIPCOT Cuddalore continue to be very high according to the SACEM monitors. The monitors reported that most of the units including Asian Paints, Maruthi and Loyal Superfabrics are repeatedly releasing heavy smoke during the night time. They also reported extremely high odours from Pioneer Jelice, CUSECS and SPIC Pharmaceuticals.

The monitors report that though they keep the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board informed about all the ongoing violations, they are yet to see strong response from the Board and a proper action on the industries so that these violations are discontinued. The monitors have sought an appointment with the Chairperson of the TNPCB to discuss these ongoing violations and lax role of the local TNPCB.