CM to launch city river conservation scheme

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, DEC. 16. The Rs. 720-crore Chennai City River Conservation Project (CCRCP) is likely to be launched by the Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, on the New Year Day.

The scheme essentially envisages the prevention of entry of sewer water into the city waterways by way of interception, diversion and treatment of sewage. Of the project cost, the Union Environment and Forests Ministry's share is about Rs. 490 crores, in the form of grant, while the remaining Rs. 230 crores will be borne by Chennai Metrowater, the executing agency of the CCRCP.

Addressing presspersons here, the Union Environment and Forests Minister, Mr. T.R. Baalu, said tenders for all the packages of the Project had been floated and were expected to be awarded by the end of this month.

Mr. Baalu said a programme had been prepared for pollution abatement of several waterways and rivers in different parts of the State and its estimated cost would be around Rs. 1,075 crores, of which the Centre's contribution would be Rs. 795 crores, the State Government would contribute Rs. 120 crores, local bodies Rs. 114 crores and the public contribution would be Rs. 50 crores.

The Health Minister, Mr. Arcot N. Veerasamy, said the Government now decided not to remove slums from the banks of the waterways.

Earlier, the Metrowater Chairman and Water Supply Minister, Mr. Ko.Si. Mani, chaired a discussion on the modalities for implementing the project. The meeting was attended by, among others, Mr N. Palanisamy, State Environment Minister, Mr. P.V. Rajaraman, Development Commissioner, Ms. Malathi, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Secretary, Mr. Ajay Bhattacharya, Housing Secretary, and Mr. C.P. Singh, Managing Director of Metrowater.

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