For more than eight months there was no talk about the proposed Cuddalore and Chennai rail project until Union Minister of State of Railways R Velu broke the silence.Chennai- Mahabalipuram- Pondicherry- Cuddalore project is much anticipated by the people of Cuddalore and Pondicherry.
There was a proposal to connect Cuddalore-Pondicherry-Thindivanam and thus Chennai thereafter.This wont be a prefered route from Cuddalore to Chennai because of the travel time.Somehow the proposal got droped.
Later Pondicherry government put forward a proposal to connect Chennai (I suppose through Mahabalipuram) and Pondicherry thus leaving out Cuddalore.When Pondicherry government brought up the issue in 23rd Southern Zonal Council meeting, then Chief Minister Ms.J.Jayalalitha had promised to give the land along Buckingham canal.This proposal also seems to have failed the feasibility test.
Finally Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)-Pondicherry conducted a survey by itself. CII survey results showed the essential return could be got only if the railway line started from Cuddalore. So understanding necessitivity, Cuddalore was also include in the project and the survey findings where submitted to Southern Railways. It seems Southern Railways submitted (by the end of October 2005) the proposal to Railway Board for further proceedings.
This being the scenario, Mr.Velu he himself came forward and said that "a survey had been commissioned with regard to a railway line to link Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry and Cuddalore."
while inspecting the ongoing works on MRTS in Perungudi.
Railway projects in Tamil Nadu were never given prefernce by successive governments. Since parties from Tamil Nadu has a stronger vioce this time, many railway projects are sanctioned here.A total of 80 new Railway Over Bridges are to be constructed in Tamil Nadu.The project must be sanctioned before the end of this term.If not it is less likely that the project will get the approval, especially because Tamil Nadu really got much in the present term.
As of now it appears that the MRTS will be extended along the Old Mahabalipuram Road upto Mahabalipuram, to provide the necessary support for the IT Corridor .So once Cuddalore-Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram line is laid it will make a complete the connection to Chennai.Old Mahabalipuram Road being the prefered destination IT firms this railway project once completed will get competitive advantage to both Pondicherry and Cuddalore.
It is interesting to note that work on Velachery-St.Thomas Mount is to start soon and is expected to be completed in four years.So making it easy for the tourists (from the Air Port) to reach places of touristic importance along the east coast.
Let us put aside our assertions and wait for the survey results of Department of Railways.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
News reports from Sipcot Area Community Monitors
Fire at Indag; TNPCB not to be found
A fire at the premises of the now-abandoned Coromandel Indag factory in SIPCOT, Cuddalore, spread thick white smoke and panic among local residents. Lakshmi (35), wife of Rajiv, reportedly fainted, upon which the villagers alerted the SIPCOT Area Community Environmental Monitors. Lakshmi was admitted to Surendra Hospital. The breeze blowing from the Southeast to the Northwest carried the smoke from the fire as far away as the Cuddalore Old Town, about 3 km away.
SACEM estimates that the fire started at around 4.30 p.m. “It was very less at the time, and not many people knew. There was not much of a flame. There was a low blue flame, but a lot of smoke. There was an acid-like smell. We couldn’t go near the smoke,” said SIPCOT monitor S. Ramanathan, who reached the spot by 6 p.m. and alerted the Fire Services. The fire tenders that arrived by 8 p.m. eventually put the fire out by 9 p.m. SACEM has taken an air sample using the bucket.
According to Ramanathan, the Fire Service personnel were hesitant to use water because they did not know the nature of the chemical that was burning and did not want to aggravate the situation. TNPCB Assistant Engineer said he was on leave, and the District Environmental Engineer was not reachable. The factory is under lock-out, and the premises are under the control of the Court. A police complaint has been filed.
Besides Indag, hazardous wastes are stored in several other closed units including JK Pharma, Maruti Synthetics, Oswali Chemicals, Maruti Labs, Kumaran Carbonates, Pentafour and Tamilnadu Pigments. As early as in January, 2005, SACEM brought the matter of hazardous wastes stored in SIPCOT factories to the notice of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee and the Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board. But no action has been taken on the matter by either.
A copy of the report titled “Groundtruths” is available at:
http://www.sipcotcuddalore.com/downloads/SCMC_report_submission_Jan2005.pdf
Industries continue to poison Cuddalore
This news item contains a detailed tabulation of pollution patrol report.
Accident at Pioneer Miyagi; One worker seriously injured
Cuddalore, 28 May 2006: 35 year old J. Kaliamurthy of Periya Karaikadu sustained a severe head injury and fractured both hands after falling from a height on the third floor of an unapproved construction within Pioneer Miyagi Chemicals. The mishap took place at 7:45 am on 28 May, 2006. Mr. Kaliamurthy’s friend rushed him to Krishna Hospital with no assistance from the company. SIPCOT monitors who were at the spot within 30 minutes said none of the company officials accompanied the victim, and worked continued apace even after the accident. The victim was not given first aid in the company, and he was able to reach the hospital after a car obligingly stopped on the highway to take him. SACEM confirms that construction work resumed on 29 May. The DEE has been informed of this development as well.
SACEM informed the District Environment Engineer (DEE) of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and the Deputy Inspector of Factories immediately. The TNPCB official confirmed that Pioneer did not have a Consent to Establish for the construction in question. According to Mr. Karthikeyan, the DEE of TNPCB, the company was issued a letter directing it to not engage in any construction activity until clearance was given. The company chose to ignore the letter and continued to build. The Plant Supervisor Mr. M. Ramaiah also confirmed that the company did not have a Consent to Establish from the TNPCB.
DEE along with the SACEM members inspected the site of the accident, accompanied by Mr. Ramaiah. According to SACEM, the construction site was strewn with rods and pipes, and the conditions and work practices were inherently unsafe. The third floor of the unit was flooded with water, increasing the vulnerability of workers. The DEE has promised to take strict action against the unit for violating the Board's order. The Deputy Inspector of Factories has also promised to look into the matter.
However, going by previous experience, the DEE’s actions and recommendations will not be followed by the Board. If the Board’s track record is anything to go by, Pioneer Miyagi’s construction schedule will suffer a slight delay, but the company’s illegal construction will be legalized by the Board without levying even a token fine for having commenced construction without permission.
No new construction can be undertaken without permission from both the TNPCB and the Inspector of Factories. However, the TNPCB routinely condones illegal construction, especially for companies that are politically well connected. Recently, it accorded post-facto clearance to Tagros Chemicals – a notorious polluter and one of the more unsafe units in SIPCOT – after the company had illegally constructed an entire factory and operated the factory for several years. The company had been ordered shut for a month, after which the company resumed operations upon receipt of post-facto clearance.
Pioneer Miyagi manufactures gelatin from cow and camel bones for export, among other places, to Japan. Known as a notorious polluter, the company’s emissions smell of rotting carcasses. SACEM members have also identified Pioneer as a routine discharger or illegal effluents through streams and illegal channels to the River Uppanar.
A fire at the premises of the now-abandoned Coromandel Indag factory in SIPCOT, Cuddalore, spread thick white smoke and panic among local residents. Lakshmi (35), wife of Rajiv, reportedly fainted, upon which the villagers alerted the SIPCOT Area Community Environmental Monitors. Lakshmi was admitted to Surendra Hospital. The breeze blowing from the Southeast to the Northwest carried the smoke from the fire as far away as the Cuddalore Old Town, about 3 km away.
SACEM estimates that the fire started at around 4.30 p.m. “It was very less at the time, and not many people knew. There was not much of a flame. There was a low blue flame, but a lot of smoke. There was an acid-like smell. We couldn’t go near the smoke,” said SIPCOT monitor S. Ramanathan, who reached the spot by 6 p.m. and alerted the Fire Services. The fire tenders that arrived by 8 p.m. eventually put the fire out by 9 p.m. SACEM has taken an air sample using the bucket.
According to Ramanathan, the Fire Service personnel were hesitant to use water because they did not know the nature of the chemical that was burning and did not want to aggravate the situation. TNPCB Assistant Engineer said he was on leave, and the District Environmental Engineer was not reachable. The factory is under lock-out, and the premises are under the control of the Court. A police complaint has been filed.
Besides Indag, hazardous wastes are stored in several other closed units including JK Pharma, Maruti Synthetics, Oswali Chemicals, Maruti Labs, Kumaran Carbonates, Pentafour and Tamilnadu Pigments. As early as in January, 2005, SACEM brought the matter of hazardous wastes stored in SIPCOT factories to the notice of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee and the Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board. But no action has been taken on the matter by either.
A copy of the report titled “Groundtruths” is available at:
http://www.sipcotcuddalore.com/downloads/SCMC_report_submission_Jan2005.pdf
Industries continue to poison Cuddalore
This news item contains a detailed tabulation of pollution patrol report.
Accident at Pioneer Miyagi; One worker seriously injured
Cuddalore, 28 May 2006: 35 year old J. Kaliamurthy of Periya Karaikadu sustained a severe head injury and fractured both hands after falling from a height on the third floor of an unapproved construction within Pioneer Miyagi Chemicals. The mishap took place at 7:45 am on 28 May, 2006. Mr. Kaliamurthy’s friend rushed him to Krishna Hospital with no assistance from the company. SIPCOT monitors who were at the spot within 30 minutes said none of the company officials accompanied the victim, and worked continued apace even after the accident. The victim was not given first aid in the company, and he was able to reach the hospital after a car obligingly stopped on the highway to take him. SACEM confirms that construction work resumed on 29 May. The DEE has been informed of this development as well.
SACEM informed the District Environment Engineer (DEE) of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and the Deputy Inspector of Factories immediately. The TNPCB official confirmed that Pioneer did not have a Consent to Establish for the construction in question. According to Mr. Karthikeyan, the DEE of TNPCB, the company was issued a letter directing it to not engage in any construction activity until clearance was given. The company chose to ignore the letter and continued to build. The Plant Supervisor Mr. M. Ramaiah also confirmed that the company did not have a Consent to Establish from the TNPCB.
DEE along with the SACEM members inspected the site of the accident, accompanied by Mr. Ramaiah. According to SACEM, the construction site was strewn with rods and pipes, and the conditions and work practices were inherently unsafe. The third floor of the unit was flooded with water, increasing the vulnerability of workers. The DEE has promised to take strict action against the unit for violating the Board's order. The Deputy Inspector of Factories has also promised to look into the matter.
However, going by previous experience, the DEE’s actions and recommendations will not be followed by the Board. If the Board’s track record is anything to go by, Pioneer Miyagi’s construction schedule will suffer a slight delay, but the company’s illegal construction will be legalized by the Board without levying even a token fine for having commenced construction without permission.
No new construction can be undertaken without permission from both the TNPCB and the Inspector of Factories. However, the TNPCB routinely condones illegal construction, especially for companies that are politically well connected. Recently, it accorded post-facto clearance to Tagros Chemicals – a notorious polluter and one of the more unsafe units in SIPCOT – after the company had illegally constructed an entire factory and operated the factory for several years. The company had been ordered shut for a month, after which the company resumed operations upon receipt of post-facto clearance.
Pioneer Miyagi manufactures gelatin from cow and camel bones for export, among other places, to Japan. Known as a notorious polluter, the company’s emissions smell of rotting carcasses. SACEM members have also identified Pioneer as a routine discharger or illegal effluents through streams and illegal channels to the River Uppanar.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Lanco buys Nagarjuna power project
Hyderabad-based Lanco buys Nagarjuna power project-DNA Money
The Nagarjuna Group has given up control of the Rs 4,300 crore power plant in Mangalore to the Hyderabad-based Lanco Group.
Lanco has picked up 74% equity in the 1,015 mw coal-fired thermal power project that has been hanging fire for a decade now.
...As to the reason for hiving off the majority stake in the project, which is at an advanced stage of implementation, Sinha said the group, which is also implementing an ambitious 6 million tonnes per annum refinery project at Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, did not have the requisite funds to put into the power project.
“Therefore it felt it had to offload equity,” he added.
The Cuddalore refinery, which, too, has been under implementation for almost a decade now, is slated to cost Rs 4,500 crore. full story>>
Lanco takes control of Nagarjuna Power- The Telegraph
The Lanco group has picked up a controlling stake in Nagarjuna Power Company Ltd, which is setting up a power plant near Mangalore.
The Nagarjuna group, which is the promoter of the power company, has been forced to sell the majority stake for lack of funds. The group had suffered a setback after the collapse of Nagarjuna Finance Ltd.
....He said the group was implementing a 6-million-tpa refinery project at Cuddalore and, therefore, felt it necessary to offload its stake in the power project. The Cuddalore refinery will cost Rs 4,500 crore. full story>>
The Nagarjuna Group has given up control of the Rs 4,300 crore power plant in Mangalore to the Hyderabad-based Lanco Group.
Lanco has picked up 74% equity in the 1,015 mw coal-fired thermal power project that has been hanging fire for a decade now.
...As to the reason for hiving off the majority stake in the project, which is at an advanced stage of implementation, Sinha said the group, which is also implementing an ambitious 6 million tonnes per annum refinery project at Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, did not have the requisite funds to put into the power project.
“Therefore it felt it had to offload equity,” he added.
The Cuddalore refinery, which, too, has been under implementation for almost a decade now, is slated to cost Rs 4,500 crore. full story>>
Lanco takes control of Nagarjuna Power- The Telegraph
The Lanco group has picked up a controlling stake in Nagarjuna Power Company Ltd, which is setting up a power plant near Mangalore.
The Nagarjuna group, which is the promoter of the power company, has been forced to sell the majority stake for lack of funds. The group had suffered a setback after the collapse of Nagarjuna Finance Ltd.
....He said the group was implementing a 6-million-tpa refinery project at Cuddalore and, therefore, felt it necessary to offload its stake in the power project. The Cuddalore refinery will cost Rs 4,500 crore. full story>>
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
News item from THE DAILY YOMIURI
News item from THE DAILY YOMIURI
Nissan Motor Co., World Vision Japan and World Vision India have announced the completion of six child care centers in India for children affected by the 2004 tsunami. The project, implemented by World Vision, was funded with a 10 million yen contribution from Nissan. Two of the centers are located in the Cuddalore district and the other four are located in the Nagapatinam district. Two of the centers in Nagapatinam will be run by schools in the region. The remaining centers in Nagapatinam, as well as the centers in Cuddalore, were handed over to the Integrated Child Development Services, an Indian government organization.
Original location of the article: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/20060530TDY11001.htm
Also see Nissan, World Vision set up child care centres
Nissan Motor Co., World Vision Japan and World Vision India have announced the completion of six child care centers in India for children affected by the 2004 tsunami. The project, implemented by World Vision, was funded with a 10 million yen contribution from Nissan. Two of the centers are located in the Cuddalore district and the other four are located in the Nagapatinam district. Two of the centers in Nagapatinam will be run by schools in the region. The remaining centers in Nagapatinam, as well as the centers in Cuddalore, were handed over to the Integrated Child Development Services, an Indian government organization.
Original location of the article: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/20060530TDY11001.htm
Also see Nissan, World Vision set up child care centres
IT park in Cuddalore - a retrospective
When Mr.Dayanidhi Maran arrived Cuddalore for inagurating a new post office, he announced that he will bring up an IT park in Cuddalore provided 25 acres of land was allocated for the purpose. He also set a short time frame within which he wanted the land to be allocated.
It was all on the pre-election scenario, when his opposition party was on the power in the state. His department might accuse incumbents (then) for preventing land procurement and thus preventing the park being established at Cuddalore.
After the assembly election, power shifted hands, Mr.Maran's party has come to power. Now, if he is really commited, nothing would stop him from bringing up the park.
Mr.Maran announced the same for Pondicherry and now the government in Union Territory is ready with 25 acres of land. When I wrote IT park in Cuddalore, there were comments that Cuddalore need not have a IT park, because it is near Chennai. Now if a IT park comes up in Pondicherry it will be reason for eliminating one such in Cuddalore forever.
Considering the present trend, one cannot argue that a new IT park in Cuddalore will not attract IT industries, provided proper infrastructure is established. IT park isnt just a symbol of pride, generating just a few jobs.It will make higher income group people to reside here, which mean an increase in the spending capacity of the people. People with higher spending capacity would lead to increased business activities, a rise in land value, thus paving a way for overall developement of economic condition of the region.So it is the work of the representatives from here to put a strong voice to bring up the park here.
Mr.Maran's office has provisions to get messages directly from general public. I have provided a link for the page below. Make use of it in a constructive and in a ethical way.
Contact The Office Of The Minister
It was all on the pre-election scenario, when his opposition party was on the power in the state. His department might accuse incumbents (then) for preventing land procurement and thus preventing the park being established at Cuddalore.
After the assembly election, power shifted hands, Mr.Maran's party has come to power. Now, if he is really commited, nothing would stop him from bringing up the park.
Mr.Maran announced the same for Pondicherry and now the government in Union Territory is ready with 25 acres of land. When I wrote IT park in Cuddalore, there were comments that Cuddalore need not have a IT park, because it is near Chennai. Now if a IT park comes up in Pondicherry it will be reason for eliminating one such in Cuddalore forever.
Considering the present trend, one cannot argue that a new IT park in Cuddalore will not attract IT industries, provided proper infrastructure is established. IT park isnt just a symbol of pride, generating just a few jobs.It will make higher income group people to reside here, which mean an increase in the spending capacity of the people. People with higher spending capacity would lead to increased business activities, a rise in land value, thus paving a way for overall developement of economic condition of the region.So it is the work of the representatives from here to put a strong voice to bring up the park here.
Mr.Maran's office has provisions to get messages directly from general public. I have provided a link for the page below. Make use of it in a constructive and in a ethical way.
Contact The Office Of The Minister
SP transfered, Collector spared
Two weeks back I have written Gagandeep Singh Bedi likely to be transfered. Fortunately District Collector Mr. Gagandeep Singh Bedi was not transfered.But Superintendent of Police Mr.Paneerselvam was transfered. Immediately on knowing about his transfer what stuck me was the promise he had made while inagurating the automated traffic signal at Lawrence Road-Imperial junction.Then, he promised for two more such signals. He did not keep up his promise, though I am not aware if he took any sincere effort to do the same.
Photo Courtesy of Narendar Kumar
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Mild downpour in Cuddalore
Most parts of Cuddalore experienced mild downpour on Friday evening.
Above are the photographs of Lawrence Road after the rain.
PHOTO COURTESY: Elangovan
Cuddalore in the news
Leading the way
Shasun means leadership in Hindi. True to its name, the company, Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Limited aims to be the leader in the CRAMS segment.
......As a leading supplier of CGMP pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediaries, the company has got production facilities in Pondicherry and Cuddalore..... full story>>
Nissan, World Vision set up child care centres
Automotive major Nissan Motor Co Ltd, World Vision India and World Vision Japan on Friday announced the completion of their joint mission of setting up six centers in India for children affected by the 2004, Tsunami.
The project, which was implemented by World Vision was funded by Nissan which donated Rs 48.4 lakh for it.
At a function here, L R Joshi, Group Executive for World Vision India's field operation said that two of the six Child Care centers were located in Cuddalore district. "Two centers in Nagapattinam have been handed over to the public schools. The remaining centres in Nagapattinam and Cuddalore were handed over to the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), an Indian governmental organisation," he said full story>>
Shasun means leadership in Hindi. True to its name, the company, Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Limited aims to be the leader in the CRAMS segment.
......As a leading supplier of CGMP pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediaries, the company has got production facilities in Pondicherry and Cuddalore..... full story>>
Nissan, World Vision set up child care centres
Automotive major Nissan Motor Co Ltd, World Vision India and World Vision Japan on Friday announced the completion of their joint mission of setting up six centers in India for children affected by the 2004, Tsunami.
The project, which was implemented by World Vision was funded by Nissan which donated Rs 48.4 lakh for it.
At a function here, L R Joshi, Group Executive for World Vision India's field operation said that two of the six Child Care centers were located in Cuddalore district. "Two centers in Nagapattinam have been handed over to the public schools. The remaining centres in Nagapattinam and Cuddalore were handed over to the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), an Indian governmental organisation," he said full story>>
Telemedicine for mental illness
.....A project of the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) and funded by Deutsche Bank, the telemedicine facility was started in the tsunami-hit areas to cater for people whose lives went awry after the killer waves hit the coast. Large numbers of people were affected, and telemedicine seemed the best way of "meeting" patients and following up without involving huge infrastructure costs.
While the project was conceived immediately after the tsunami, the first centre was opened in Dharmakulam, Karaikal, in June 2005, says Sujit John, co-ordinator of the programme. A unit is being set up at Thiruporur, and two more are coming up at Cuddalore and Nagapattinam.... full story>>
While the project was conceived immediately after the tsunami, the first centre was opened in Dharmakulam, Karaikal, in June 2005, says Sujit John, co-ordinator of the programme. A unit is being set up at Thiruporur, and two more are coming up at Cuddalore and Nagapattinam.... full story>>
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Gagandeep Singh Bedi likely to be transfered
New government assumed power, already there were shuffle in top-level bureaucracies, next step would be to shuffle District Collectors and Police Service officers. We are likely to lose District Collector Mr.Gagandeep Singh Bedi, who was with us during the period of great distresses. He as a sole man took great pains in transforming Cuddalore. But three years is a smaller period to transform a town which has faced centuries of discrimination. Cuddalore is mentioned as 'Black Town' even in the history. An unfortunate town. It has every potential to grow into a metropolitan, but due to discrimination and "unsympathetic government policies" it lacks the development it deserves.Gagandeep Singh Bedi was the man who came to rescue. Unfortunately he is likely to be transfered.
Its worthwhile to recall Prime Miniter Dr.Manmohan Singh called District Collectors as "critical agents" for ensuring a new deal to rural India, on the District Collectors meet held on May 19 & 20, 2005. In the meet Prime Minister strongly insisted that District Collectors should not be transfered often, as it prevents them from effectively carrying out the developmental activities.He reiterated the same atleast on three other occassions.
Let us see whether the new government in the state which is in coalition with Manmohan Singh's Congress party abides to this.
Its worthwhile to recall Prime Miniter Dr.Manmohan Singh called District Collectors as "critical agents" for ensuring a new deal to rural India, on the District Collectors meet held on May 19 & 20, 2005. In the meet Prime Minister strongly insisted that District Collectors should not be transfered often, as it prevents them from effectively carrying out the developmental activities.He reiterated the same atleast on three other occassions.
Let us see whether the new government in the state which is in coalition with Manmohan Singh's Congress party abides to this.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Industries caught emitting toxic gases in the night - SACEM
Industries caught emitting toxic gases in the night
SACEM monitors report that most of the factories on the SIPCOT industrial estate including TANFAC, Tagros, Tantech and SPIC were engulfed in a heavy cloud of smoke around the midnight of May 4. The monitors who were on their way back from a wedding described the smell as intense and about 7 on a scale of 10. The odours were typical to each company but unusually intense.
The monitors who were traveling by autorikshaw experienced giddiness and headache and stated that the visibility in the industrial complex and on the highway was extremely poor.
SACEM monitors report that most of the factories on the SIPCOT industrial estate including TANFAC, Tagros, Tantech and SPIC were engulfed in a heavy cloud of smoke around the midnight of May 4. The monitors who were on their way back from a wedding described the smell as intense and about 7 on a scale of 10. The odours were typical to each company but unusually intense.
The monitors who were traveling by autorikshaw experienced giddiness and headache and stated that the visibility in the industrial complex and on the highway was extremely poor.
Uppanar Pollution: Fishermen suffer, repeated complaints of pollution ignored by TNPCB -SACEM
Uppanar Pollution: Fishermen suffer, repeated complaints of pollution ignored by TNPCB
Pugazendhi, a fisherman and a SACEM member, reports that the stream near Arekema Peroxide which has been a source of problem for the local fishermen for a long time especially the resident fisherfolks of Sangolikuppam. Several complaints have been lodged but the situation remains unchanged. Fisherfolks of Sangolikuppam fish very close to the this stream and are often in neck deep water to retrieve the nets. These are the fishermen without Catamarams (boats) and hence come in contact with the contaminated water. They have serious skin ailments while the ones that use the Catamarams (boats) are fine.
Pugazendhi, a fisherman and a SACEM member, reports that the stream near Arekema Peroxide which has been a source of problem for the local fishermen for a long time especially the resident fisherfolks of Sangolikuppam. Several complaints have been lodged but the situation remains unchanged. Fisherfolks of Sangolikuppam fish very close to the this stream and are often in neck deep water to retrieve the nets. These are the fishermen without Catamarams (boats) and hence come in contact with the contaminated water. They have serious skin ailments while the ones that use the Catamarams (boats) are fine.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Corrections to History:Cuddalore under British Regime
The following corrections are made to the article History:Cuddalore under British Regime
Fort St.David was built in 1653 A.D. by Elihu Yale (instead of Eligu El).The fort was renovated and restrengthened on 1693,1698,1702,1725,1740 and on 1745 (instead of 1975:excuse me - a blunder).
Until 1758 Cuddalore was the capital to South Indian territories which was under British control then (instead of capital of Tamil Nadu.NOTE:Tamil Nadu as a state was yet to be formed ).
Nawab Umdat-ul-Umara built Gadilam Castle in.....(instead of Uthulla).
Fort St.David was built in 1653 A.D. by Elihu Yale (instead of Eligu El).The fort was renovated and restrengthened on 1693,1698,1702,1725,1740 and on 1745 (instead of 1975:excuse me - a blunder).
Until 1758 Cuddalore was the capital to South Indian territories which was under British control then (instead of capital of Tamil Nadu.NOTE:Tamil Nadu as a state was yet to be formed ).
Nawab Umdat-ul-Umara built Gadilam Castle in.....(instead of Uthulla).
Oberoi's orphanage
Vivek Oberoi's orphanage construction in Cuddalore makes a slow but steady progress.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Sanitary condition of fishing hamlets
Tens of hundreds of crores flowed in through governments and NGOs around the world, after tsunami,but nothing notable has been done to improve the sanitary condition of the fishing villages. Fisheries still stick on to age old way of doing things, irrespective of their economic background. They may be preoccupied, still isn't it the responsibility of the government to build toilets for the commuinity and educate them to use it properly.
More photographs of Cuddalore added
More photographs of Cuddalore are added to the 'Photos' section of the CuddaloreOnline group.They are added under the 'Cuddalore Streets & Buildings' album.These photographs are of resolution greater than 1024x768.Some of them can make good desktop wallpapers.
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Jean Claude Brisseau.
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Jean Claude Brisseau.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Fleecing the public to increase the revenue - A frustrating experience on my journey by TNSTC bus.
I was waiting to catch the bus for Pondy at Koyambedu Bus terminus on Saturday-29/4/06. Due to holidays ahead there was a huge crowd waiting to catch the bus. Finally at 5.15 p.m. one bus with route board reading “PP Cuddalore” reached the bay. Many people rushed inside to catch their seats. Then came a surprise announcement from the conductor. The bus is “Express service to Cuddalore” and normal fares does not apply and only passengers bound to Pondy and Cuddalore would be allowed to travel. We were surprised to see a sticker pasted by the conductor to the front glass of the bus which reads “EXP”. The PP service was changed to EXP instantaneously.
All the buses which were bound to Chidambaram and Cuddalore parked adjacent to our bus were found to be given a similar treatment.
The fare increase works out to additional 6Rupees for Pondy and 8 Rupees for Cuddalore. When the conductor was asked about this, his prompt reply was that this is as per the instruction from his superior.
The registration of the bus is TN 32 Y 2246 bound to Cuddalore. The bus left Koyambedu bus stand at 5.45 p.m. Although it was claimed to be an Express Service no much difference could be felt on the service offered, which stopped at all places i.e at Tambaram, Melmaruvathur,Tindivanam and reached the nearby of Pondy at about 9.45 p.m. . As many as 15 passengers were bound to Tindivanam. Although the bus was packed to the full with passengers standing at the footboard too, the crew were still trying to add some more passengers by stopping at Melmaruvathur which caused further frustrations to the already irritated passengers.
Just by simply pasting a sticker “EXP” the TNSTC is making an additional revenue of more than Rs600 to the exchequer without any additional benefit to the passenger.
Is this an ethical way??.
Will the concerned authorities please give a look and save the public.SIFFS` rehab of tsunami-hit fishermen earns laurels - Business Standard
Almost a year-and-a-half after the deadly tsunami struck, the fishermen in the disaster zones are fast regaining confidence, thanks to the dedicated efforts initiated by SIFFS. The major gainers are the fishermen in worst-affected Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Villupuram in Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Pondicherry full story>>
CitiFinancial to invest in Cuddalore
CitiFinancial targets the large un-banked segment comprising small businessmen, small traders, maids and drivers in metros and also large population masses in small towns like Cuddalore and Tuticorin full story>>
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