Date:26/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/26/stories/2008082655050600.htm
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Tamil Nadu

Compost yard inaugurated

Special Correspondent

It is the first such facility of Tambaram Municipality

— Photo: A. Muralitharan

Close look: Union Minister T.R.Baalu, at the compost yard in West Tambaram on Sunday.

TAMBARAM: Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T.R. Baalu on Sunday said that funding for solid waste management projects would be given priority in his Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme. Mr. Baalu, who is also the south Chennai Member of Parliament, dedicated the first compost yard of Tambaram Municipality in ward 32. “But as far as my MP funds are concerned, solid waste management projects will get priority,” Mr. Baalu remarked.

The compost yard has been built from the general funds of Tambaram Municipality at a cost of Rs.5 lakh. It would be managed by Hand in Hand, a non-governmental organisation that would employ about two dozen people for door-to-door collection of segregated garbage in ward 32. Mr. Baalu said that the Kathipara grade separator would be completed by October.

Reacting to a specific question, Mr. Baalu said that the Supreme Court had only asked the Pachauri Committee whether there was a necessity for creating an alternative alignment for the Sethu Samudram Project.

On allegations from members of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam that his Ministry had hidden certain facts on the project, Mr. Baalu asked whether MDMK general secretary Vaiko had made the remarks.

When reporters replied that it was only party leaders and not Mr. Vaiko, Mr. Baalu said that he was ready to take part in an open debate with anyone on the project.

Tambaram MLA S.R.Raja, Tambaram Municipality Chairman E. Mani, Alandur Municipality Chairman R.S. Bharathi spoke.

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