Deepavali Scenes: Conservancy workers directed to collect cracker waste separately

According to a solid waste management department official of the Corporation, the conservancy workers would collect and store the cracker waste separately, and send them to the hazardous waste processing unit run by Tamil Nadu Waste Management Limited in Gummidipoondi.

“A few days ago, we had conducted a training session for the field level officials on handling cracker waste safely. Representatives of Tamil Nadu Waste Management Limited participated in the meeting and explained about collecting and processing cracker waste. Strict instructions have been issued not to mix it with regular garbage,” the official said.

As per the Chennai Corporation data, the civic workers had collected around 95 tonnes of cracker waste after last year’s Deepavali. Similarly, the civic body had collected 85 tonnes of plastic waste in 2018.

When asked whether the civic body would deploy additional manpower to remove cracker waste, the official said that the civic body has around 19,000 conservancy workers, including permanent and contract employees.

Though it is a government holiday on Monday, all conservancy workers would work to remove the cracker waste as well as regular garbage, the official said, adding: “We have also asked Ramky Enviro Engineers to use additional vehicles to collect and transport cracker waste to Gummidipoondi.”

The State Health Secretary, Beela Rajesh, on Saturday after inspecting the exclusive burns ward set up to attend to the victims during Deepavali at the Government Kilpauk Medical College in the city, said that all necessary equipment and medication have been kept ready to attend to the patients.      

While the exclusive burns ward with 10 beds has been set up at the hospital to attend to burn victims for three days from Sunday, two cases have already been attended to so far.

Inspecting the burns ward, the Health Secretary said that the 30 beds in the casualty unit and 20 beds in the plastic surgery ward have been opened to treat those who suffer injuries due to burns during Deepavali. “The doctors, nurses and paramedical staff will be available round the clock at the hospital. The two burn cases attended to by the hospital were outpatient cases, while the equipment and medication have been kept ready to attend to other burn victims,” Beela Rajesh said.

The Health Secretary also inspected the fever ward at the hospital and said that all the cases tested positive for dengue and other fever cases are being treated as per protocol. “All the government hospitals are equipped with blood components and medication, and this is why we have a smaller number of dengue cases and its related deaths reported this year across the State. 

There is research going on to come out with a vaccine to prevent dengue’s outbreak every year. Nodal officers and District Collectors are also on inspections every day to check the breeding of dengue-causing mosquitoes and perform source reduction,” she added.

Chennai: The Deepavali rush in the city at least turned favourable for the Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) as it witnessed a record 1.64 lakh passengers using it on Friday, with officials expecting a further increase in patronage on Saturday.

A CMRL official said that on Friday, the Metro recorded an all-time high passenger footfall of 1,64,913, bettering the previous best of 1,39,324 witnessed on Thursday.

“In the last two days, totally 3,04,237 passengers travelled in the Metro,” the official said.

The official said that many people had opted taking the Metro in order to avoid the traffic chaos in the city from the operation of special buses to various parts of the State for Deepavali festival. 

“The Metro particularly comes handy for those passengers heading to CMBT, the airport and MGR Central to catch their buses, flights and trains,” the official said, adding that the footfall was high at the Central, Koyambedu, CMBT, Ashok Nagar, Airport and Alandur stations in the past few days.

The official also said that they were expecting increased patronage on Saturday, a day ahead of Deepavali.

Meanwhile, the official said that the offer of 50% discount to commuters on all Sundays and public holidays in a bid to boost ridership, would commence from Deepavali. For a commuter using the smart card, the minimum fare would be as low as Rs 4 and the maximum be Rs 27. With token issuance, the minimum and maximum fares will be Rs 5 and Rs 30 respectively.

“We hope to increase the ridership on Sunday from the current 50,000-60,000 to the normal weekday average of over one lakh,” the official said.

As part of its crackdown, the Transport department has collected fine and tax arrears to the tune of Rs 28.21 lakh from omnibuses for various complaints, including fleecing passengers and lack of proper documentation. Nine buses have also reimbursed the high fares collected from passengers. A Transport department release stated that 111 special teams have been formed under the regional authorities across the State and that as many as 1,159 inspection reports have been submitted. “So far, seven buses have been detained by the special teams,” the release said, adding that nine omnibuses have reimbursed the fares collected. A total of Rs 28.21 lakh, including a fine of Rs 27.08 lakh, was imposed on omnibuses for various violations under the Motor Vehicles Act. The inspection would continue till October 30, the release added.

In a reason for cheer to the public, an increase in supply has led to a slump in vegetable and flower prices at the Koyambedu wholesale market after almost a week’s time. Vendors say that this is the first time the prices have seen a dip for Deepavali.

The prices of fruits have, however, registered a steep hike due to a shortage in supply.

“Earlier, during Deepavali, the prices would double than usual and there would be more customers. But this year, business has been dull when compared to other festive seasons,” said S Mookaiya, secretary, Koyambedu Malar Podhu Vyabarigal Sangam. 

Flowers like jasmine sambac is being sold at Rs 750 per kg, damask rose Rs 80-100, and tuberose for Rs 100, he said. Vegetables prices also saw a dip, with tomato being sold at Rs 20 per kg, onion for Rs 30, and carrot for Rs 30-40.