The Tamil Nadu Government today allotted Rs 300 crore for effluent treatment and other activities to check pollution of key water bodies in and around Chennai due to increasing industrialisation and growing population.
The Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, sanctioned half the amount for the initial allocation.
She had approved Rs 300 crore for sewage and effluent treatment activities on 337 locations in Cooum and Adyar rivers and Buckingham canal, an official release said.
The Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewage Board has been granted Rs 150 crore in instalments, which would be utilised towards laying pipes, setting up pumping stations and general improvement of the system.
The efforts would help prevent untreated sewage water flowing into these water bodies, which are already polluted, the release said.
Ms Jayalalithaa also announced the creation of a panel under the jurisdiction of Municipal Administration and Rural Development Minister, Mr K.P. Munusamy, to identify recipients for the Chief Minister’s Award for the Best Corporations and Municipalities.
Local bodies delivering best services will be selected and awarded cash prizes ranging between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 25 lakh.
The effort would encourage local bodies to compete with each other to serve the citizens better, the release added.