Modern bus stand for Theni

A modern bus stand that will serve outstation buses was inaugurated here by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa through video conferencing on Monday.

Constructed at a cost of Rs.15.25 crore, it has 59 bus bays, two restrooms for passengers, two restaurants, a cloakroom, seven toilets, including one meant for differently abled persons, three parking lots, an information centre, four reservation counters, an office for transport staff and police outpost.

According to sources, 670 buses, making 1,963 trips, will arrive and depart from the bus stand every day.

The Theni Municipality is expected to generate an annual revenue of Rs.2.25 crore from the new bus stand.

It was constructed using a State government grant of Rs.1 crore, Theni municipality’s contribution of Rs.5.75 crore and urban infrastructure development fund of Rs.8.5 crore. The construction work started on June 21, 2010.

Collector K.S. Palanisamy said the new bus stand would ease traffic congestion in the town. Theni Chamber of Commerce member Selvaraj, Regional Director for Municipal Administration T. Natarajan and Regional Chief Executive Engineer G. Rajendran participated. The old bus stand will henceforth serve town buses.

Ms. Jayalalithaa also inaugurated a maternal and child health block constructed at a cost of Rs.1.36 crore at the Government Hospital in Kodaikanal.

New Bus Stand

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has inaugurated the new bus terminus  at Theni-Allinagaram municipality named after Colonel John Pennycuick, the British engineer who constructed the Mullaiperiyar dam, the life-line of many southern districts. 

While inaugurating the memorial for Pennycuick on January 15 at the Lower Camp in Theni district, the Chief Minister had announced that the new bus terminus would be named after the late British engineer.

The Chief Minister inaugurated this terminus through video conferencing facility at her Kodanadu camp office on December 30. The terminus has been constructed in an area of 7.35 acres at a cost of Rs 15.25 crore. As many as 59 buses can be parked in this terminus which has all the basic amenities including police control room, information officer, reception and driver’s rest room.,

Drinking water projects and underground drainage facilities established at a cost of Rs 64.47 crore in Tiruvannamalai, Kanchipuram and Kuttalam in Nagapattinam district, besides another six  districts were also inaugurated by the Chief Minister.

Apart from these, she also inaugurated new buildings in various districts.  In all, the Chief Minister has inaugurated and laid foundation for new projects worth Rs 118.2 crore. 

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Neutrino project in theni

After denying permission to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to locate the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) at Singara in Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu

 the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on Monday accorded both environmental and forest clearance for locating the project in the Bodi West Hills (BWH) in Theni district of the State.

The INO will be a major underground experimental facility to study the elusive and nearly mass-less fundamental particles of nature called neutrinos,

“The approval,” said a Ministry press release, “is subject to the conditions that there will be no cutting of trees and damage to the forest cover; that measures will be taken to minimise the effect of tunnelling and disposal of rock debris and that the environmental management plan prepared by the Coimbatore-based Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) will be fully implemented.”

The site is situated in a reserved forest (RF) area.

The Singara site which, according to scientists, is the best spot to locate the INO, was rejected by the MoEF on the grounds that it was not cleared by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department (TNFD). It was stated to fall in the buffer zone of the Mudhumalai Tiger Reserve. The site being close to the elephant corridor between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats was also a consideration.

It should, however, be pointed out that the declaration of the region as a tiger reserve was made only in 2008, two years after the DAE applied to the TNFD for clearance. While rejecting it, the Ministry suggested that the project be moved to a site near the Suruliyar falls in Theni district.

Though scientists had considered Suruliyar and Thevaram, they finally chose a huge sheet of monolithic rock hill near Pudukkottai village in Pottipuram Panchayat for the project. While Suruliyar is to the east of the Cumbum Valley, BWH lies west of the valley, very close to the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border.

The actual site is two km from Pudukkottai, 14 km from Bodi and 110 km from Madurai. A serious shortcoming of the site, however, is lack of water and electricity. Power has to be sourced from Rasingapuram, which is 10 km away. A feasibility study for sourcing water through pipelines is being processed by the Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board (TWADB).

Two-km tunnel

The proposed massive neutrino detector will be built in a cavern set in massive charnockite rock (group of igneous rocks found in South India with those in Tamil Nadu known to be the hardest). The cavern will be excavated by drilling a tunnel of 1.9-2 km in length under the peak designated as 1589 so that there is vertical overburden of about 1300 m. For a good neutrino detection facility, a vertical cover of at least 1000 m is required so that the observed neutrino events are not contaminated by unwanted particles that will be absorbed by the overburden.

The forest types in the area vary from scrub jungles to montane grass land. While the underground facility may go under forest land in one spot, there will be no over ground occupation of forest land, according to scientists. The portal for the site will, in fact, be located outside the RF boundary in revenue land along with other surface facilities.

The application for TNFD clearance was submitted in January 2010 and the TNFD gave its approval early this month. A Rapid Environment Impact Assessment (REIA) is over. The draft report of the detailed EIA was presented to the Ministry on Monday before the final clearance.

Since the project was sanctioned under the XI Plan, scientists hope to start the construction of the facility by 2011. The total cost is now pegged at about Rs. 1200 crore, which will include, besides the Rs. 950 crore for the facility itself, the costs for laying roads, electrical and water lines and other infrastructure. The Detailed Project Report is also nearly ready, according to the spokesman for the project, Noba K. Mondal of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).

The INO includes nearly 90 scientists from 25 institutions, with the TIFR as the nodal institution. Scientists now await a formal letter from the MoEF to the DAE, which will be presented to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) for its formal and then the Cabinet for its clearance. Since this is a project already approved under the Plan there should be no problem in securing these.

Land of greens and blues

As the dusk falls and city lights up on Friday, people with wanderlust break their heads over a weekend getaway. All one wants is a change from the week routine. One of the ideal weekend spots near the city is Meghamalai in Theni district where one can spend some quality time and re-connect with nature. 

Land of greens and blues 

Meghamalai is a misty mountain range located in Theni district (part of Western Ghats) at 1,500 metres above sea level. The place is more popular for the tea estates where access is restricted. However, one can still enjoy the sight of the lush green forests and valleys. Sivaraman, a tourist says, "Till now, we assumed Kodaikanal to be the only weekend spot. However, after visiting Meghamalai, we are happy to have found an alternative place to unwind." If you choose to travel via Chinnamanur, you cannot miss the scenic beauty along the way. "The main attractions include tea estates, forest, dams and water falls. If you are planning a day's trip, then you can reach by morning and spend the rest of the hours relaxing in waters and scouting for elephants and bisons. If you're lucky, then you can catch a glimpse of the jumbos quenching their thirst in the water," adds Sivaraman. 

Bird's eye view 

Meghamalai hills are the originating point of river Suruli. Hence, the twin waterfalls located at its course is perennial throughout the year. Karthikeyan, a tourist guide explains, "The tourism officials help tourists get a better view of the wildlife in this area. Due to the presence of water throughout the year, some of the wild animals like the spotted deer and gaur hit the spot frequently during sunrise and sunset." Apart from the waterfalls and the tea estates, the main attraction of Meghamalai is the Vellimalai (the silver mountain). Vellimalai is 1,650 metres above sea level. "This is the place from where the River Vaigai originates. The hills are also home to six dams, including the Manalar dam from where one can view the Cumbam valley. A weekend of fascinating facts is only a hours away our monotonous life," adds the excited tourist guide. 

A haven for rare species 

"Wild animals are spotted near the foothills," says Kamala Devi, a student who has returned from a recent visit to the hills of Meghamalai. "The hills opens up to a huge expanse of the tea and coffee plantations that is enveloped by the aroma of the spices. But the road narrows down as we approach the top of the hill and paves way for the dense forests that is least disturbed. Also, this place is a perfect spot for bird watching as different species of birds including the great Indian hornbills can be spotted here. The most adventurous part of the tour would be to spot a leopard or a tiger in the area." An endangered species of squirrel (flying squirrels) are found flying between the trees of the forest. However the major gripe tourists have is that the place lacks hotels for accommodation. Although the Panchayat rest houses and forest lodges can be booked much in advance to secure a perfect stay for an entire family, informs Kamala. 

Meghamalai is a place of natural beauty dotted with cardamom plantations and tea estates. With all this and more it's definitely a perfect weekend spot especially for summer.

Jaya opposes NDMA move; thousands hold road blockade for Mullaperiyar dam

Ratcheting up pressure on the Centre over the Mullaperiyar dam issue, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday slammed it for forming an expert team to draw up a contingency response plan for the reservoir, saying it was succumbing to the “subterfuge” of Kerala government. 

As tension gripped areas bordering Kerala in Theni district following a road blockade protest by thousands of villagers, Jayalalithaa shot off yet another letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the dam issue. 

She took strong exception to the National Disaster Management Authority headed by him forming the experts team to draw up a contingency response plan including “inundation and submergence models” in the event of possible scenarios like earthquakes and floods. 

“This is nothing but succumbing to the subterfuge of the government of Kerala and to present a fait accompli to the Supreme Court and the Empowered Committee constituted by it,” she said demanding withdrawal of NDMA's office memorandum. 

Jayalalithaa's fourth letter to the Prime Minister in as many weeks on the dam issue comes amid an unending war of words between leaders of both states over Kerala's insistence on demolishing the 116-year old dam citing safety concerns which, Tamil Nadu strongly opposes. 

In Theni district, the epicentre of protests since last month against Kerala's stand on the dam issue, police arrested MDMK leader Vaiko when he was on his way to Lower Camp on Kerala border to lead his party workers on a road blockade stir demanding protection to the dam. 

Vaiko was arrested for defying prohibitory orders but about 10,000 people went ahead with the agitation and blocked the road at Gudalur where five persons were injured in a clash between police and the agitators. 

Police said they made a lathicharge when the agitators threw stones at them during the clash which broke out after a tractor 'accidentally' hit the vehicle of IG of Police Rajesh Dass who was on his way to hold talks with the protesters. 

Five media vehicles and some belonging to the police were damaged in the clash, police said adding the situation was under control though tense. Additional reinforcements have been rushed to the trouble spot.

Geography

Cumbum Valley

The 2,889 km² (1,115 sq mi) district lies at the foot of the Western Ghats between 9' 39' and 10' 30' North latitude and between 77' 00' and 78' 30' of East Longitude. Central location:  

Manjalaru Dam

 WikiMiniAtlas

10°04′N 77°45′E / 10.067°N 77.75°E / 10.067; 77.75. The district is bounded by Dindigul District to the north, Madurai District to the east, Virudhunagar District to the southwest, and Idukki district of the Kerala State to the west. The district is home to Theni, Periyakulam, Bodinayakanur, Cumbum, Uthamapalayam, kombai, Gudalur, Chinnamanur, Andipatti, Thevaram, Lakshmipuram and several other small villages like SukkangalPatti, Meenatchipuram, Melasindalaichery, Kottur, Pallavarayan patti a popular village in Tamilnadu JallikattuKamatchipuram. It is diversified by several ranges and hills. A range of hills which runs parallel to Western Ghats from north to south separate it from the neighboring state of Kerala.

Climate- In the plains, the temperatures range from a minimum of 13 °C to a maximum of 39.5 °C. In the hills the temperatures can range from as low as 4-5 °C to 25 °C. The district is known for its salubrious climate, hills and lakes.

Rivers and dams- The Vaigai River, Kottagudi River, Suruliyar River, Varaganathi River, Manjalar River and Varattaru River flow through the district. The important reservoirs in the district are Vaigai Dam, Manjalaru Dam, Sothuparai Dam, Sanmughanathi Dam, Manalaru Dam and Melmanalaru Dam.