Chidambaram assures infrastructure development assistance in Tamil Nadu
Saturday, November 10, 2007

Chennai, Nov.10 (ANI): Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday asserted here that the UPA Government would provide all possible assistance to Tamil Nadu in the development of infrastructure. During his interaction with Tamil Nadu Chief MInister M.Karunanidhi, Chidambaram discussed various aspects concerning the infrastructure development of the state. "We discussed about repair, restoration and renovation of the water bodies. We need to work on roads, generally, the problems which I am able to see when I travel districts specially in my constituency for the feedback from the people." He was, however, particularly critical about the condition of the roads in the state. He said that if the State Government targetted three areas, the conditions of roads could improve. First, he said, is the technical design of roads, which must take into account the local climatic conditions. Second, was to reduce water stagnation and third was that infrastructure should be based on sound technical design.

Regarding the metro rail project for Chennai, Chidambaram said that the Central Government had cleared the project for Hyderabad and Bangalore and the same would be applicable for the Chennai metro project too. The Chennai metro is a much-awaited project for the city, aimed at reducing traffic snarls in the southern metropolis. Tamil Nadu is served by an extensive road network in terms of its spread and quality, providing links between urban centers, agricultural market-places and rural habitations in the countryside. There are 24 national highways in the state, covering a total distance of 2,002 km. The state is also a terminus for the Golden Quadrilateral project that is scheduled to complete in 2008. The state has a total road length of 167,000 km, of which 60,628 km are maintained by Highways department. This is nearly 2.5 times higher than the density of all-India road network. It is currently working on upgrading its road network, though the pace of work is considered slow.(ANI) -AJ

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Tamil Nadu celebrates Diwali today
Thursday, November 8, 2007

Chennai, Nov 8 (ANI): Diwali, the celebration of triumph of good over evil, is being celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety across Tamil Nadu today.

People wearing new cloths exchanged pleasantries and thronged temples.

According to Sivakasi-based cracker manufacturers, this year sales of crackers were down by at least 40 per cent.

In the neighbouring union territory of Puducherry, the festival was celebrated with pomp and enthusiasm, as people here offered prayers at the temples.

The day commemorates the homecoming of Lord Ram after a 14-year exile in forest. The people of Ayodhya welcomed him back by lighting rows of lamps.

The festival, which signifies victory of good over the evil, comes exactly twenty days after Dussehra.

There are several beliefs regarding the origin of festival. Hindus celebrate Diwali to mark the time when Lord Ram achieved victory over Ravana. Some also view it as the day Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura or in honour of the day Bali went to rule the nether world, obeying the order of Vishnu.

In Jainism, it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on October 15, 527 B.C. (ANI) --MP

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Baalu approves road repair works in Tamil Nadu
Tuesday, November 6, 2007

New Delhi, Nov 6 (ANI): Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T.R. Baalu has approved a sum of Rs. 635.10 lakh for road improvement works on NH-208 in Tamil Nadu.

NH-208 is an important National Highway of interstate connectivity connecting Kerala and Tamil Nadu from Kollam to Thirumangalam.

This road also connects the important towns like Shencottah, Tenkasi, Rajapalayam to important tourist centers like Sabarimala, Courtallam and Madurai.

The approval has been granted for the following works on NH-208 of the State.

An amount of Rs. 278.58 lakh has been approved for construction of High Level Bridge at km 123/4 at Sengilipatti Village (Periya Odai) in Thirunelveli district.

The existing bridge is narrow and also in dilapidated condition and therefore, it is necessary to reconstruct the bridge in replacement of the existing bridge.

An amount of Rs. 184.29 lakh has been approved for construction of retaining walls at km 113/6-.114/0, and km.127/4 and 133/8-134/2 at Kadayanallur Municipal limit in Tirunelveli district.

These stretches run along huge tanks due to which the shoulders are completely eroded and therefore, need immediate repairs.

An amount of Rs 129.51 lakh has been approved for improvement of riding quality in certain stretches of NH at Kadayanallur Municipal limit in
Tirunelveli district. The riding surface of the stretch is badly damaged due to recent rains and needs immediate repairs.

An amount of Rs. 21.60 lakh has been approved at km. 207/4 for construction of retaining wall along the approaches of minor bridge at M. Suppulapuram in Madurai district.

An amount of Rs. 16.43 lakh has also been approved at km. 206/4 for construction of an other retaining wall along the road side tank at M.Supplapuram in Madurai.

In addition Thiru Baalu has approved a sum of Rs. 4.69 lakh for consultancy services for feasibility study and preparation of the detailed project report for construction of bypass to Seithur Town at km. 155/4-158/2 in Virudhunagar district.

The completion of road improvement works in Madurai and Thirunelveli districts will help ease the traffic situation in these areas. (ANI)

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Fire accident case: 10 years imprisonment and penalty
Tuesday, October 30, 2007

A magistrate court on Monday sentenced Muhaideen Badsha, the owner of a private home for the mentally challenged in Erwadi, in which 27 mentally-ill persons were charred to death in a fire accident, to 196 years of rigorous imprisonment.Pronouncing the judgement, six years after the incident took place, chief judicial magistrate K.V. Raju also imposed a penalty of Rs 30,500 for Muhaideen Badsha. His wife Suriya Begam and relatives Rashak and Mumtaj Begum were sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment with a penalty of Rs 3,500 each.

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Heavy rains: 30 die

As many as 30 people have died across the state in rain related incidents, revenue minister I Periyasamy said. Talking to media the minister said chief minister M.Karunanidhi had increased the solatium offered to the family members of the deceased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. The government had also increased the compensation for cattle from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. He said 195 houses were destroyed and 870 houses were partially damaged in the rain. Revenue officials are assessing the damage and adequate compensation will be given all those who are affected by the rain, he added.

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Four children killed in Tamil Nadu wall collapse
Monday, October 29, 2007

Nanthivanam (Tamil Nadu), Oct 29 (ANI): Four children were killed in two separate incidents of wall collapse in Tamil Nadu on late Sunday night following heavy rains.

Three girls died when the roof of a house collapsed on the family members of Rajaguru, while they were asleep, in Nanthivanam village of Kumbakonam.

Rajaguru said his three daughters -- Deepa (12), Ezhilarasi (5) and Divya (4) -- died on the spot.

"We all were sleeping when water started pouring from the roof. I was trying to wake up my family members when suddenly the roof caved in. They were buried under the roof and died," said Rajaguru.

In another incident, Gowtham, a three-year old boy, died at Pughazhendi village of Kumbakonam.

Meanwhile, Thanjavur District Collector visited the area where the incidents occurred.

"As soon as the incidents occurred, the government machinery swung into action and special officers were assigned for relief measures," said Vijaya Rajkumar, District Collector.

Fifteen people have been killed across Tamil Nadu due to heavy rains triggered by the north-east monsoon. The State has received 40-50 centimetres of rainfall till now.

Heavy rains have hit train services and power supply in the State. The State Government has declared Monday a holiday for schools and colleges all over the State.

The State government has stepped up flood relief activities. (ANI)

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TN temple employees demands their benefits
Sunday, October 28, 2007

Tamil Nadu senior category temple employees association has demanded that all the benefits enjoyed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments should be extended to their members.The state president of the organisation V Eswaran said the government should consider creating a bank exclusively for depositing the revenues generated by the temples, which are under HR&CE control. He said the vacancies in temples should be filled by appointing qualified temple employees instead of recruiting people from outside. If the government fails to fulfil our demands by November 25, we will organise picketing, he added.

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