New traffic rules in coimbatore

The driving licence of those who indulge in drunken and negligent driving and who are involved in fatal accidents will be cancelled, Transport Commissioner C.P. Singh has warned.

The licence will be suspended for six months for the first offence.

In the event of second or subsequent offence, it will be cancelled. Action will also be initiated against vehicle owners for failure to discipline their drivers, he told reporters.

Mr. Singh said the Government was striving to reduce accidents. Besides preventive measures such as mandatory seatbelts for car-users and helmets for two-wheeler riders, efforts were being made to enhance the skills of drivers and improve their driving habits. Wearing of seatbelts in cars was being made compulsory from June 1.

The Institute of Road Transport had been requested to devise courses for drivers of various types of vehicles, including those that carry inflammable petroleum products and hazardous commodities.

Ashok Leyland and Maruti had opened driving schools. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation was equipping its 17 driving schools. The feasibility of the public using these schools for a nominal fee was being explored. The Highways Department had been asked to take remedial measures in accident-prone spots on highways.

Mr. Singh said dealers would be asked to display the price of quality certified helmets to prevent their sale at inflated rates. Mr. Singh said 92 lakh vehicles, including 71 lakh two-wheelers, plied in the State, and lakhs of new vehicles were being registered every year.

Siruthuli begins desilting Chithiraichavadi Anicut

Siruthuli, the people's initiative to conserve water resources, began desilting the Chithiraichavadi Anicut on Monday. Siruthuli said the objective was to remove 60,000 cubic metres of silt. One cubic metre could hold 1,000 litres of water, it said. When the entire silt was removed, the anicut could hold more water. This would help recharge the groundwater table over 10 sq.km. The area of irrigation under the anicut and channel was 3,791 acres. The organisation put the cost of the project at Rs.17.50 lakh. It would contribute Rs.5.25 lakh and hoped for the State Government to meet the rest of the cost through the Water Resources Organisation (WRO) of the Public Works Department (PWD).

Siruthuli has already begun the work by using its funds. Chithiraichavadi is a 11-km channel that brings water to the following tanks: Pudukulam, Kolarampathi, Narasampathi, Krishnampathi, Selvampathi, Kumaraswamy and Selvachinthamani. Surplus water from Selvachinthamani used to flow to Big Tank and Valankulam at Ukkadam in Coimbatore, a press release from Siruthuli said.

The anicut was part of the Noyyal river system. The river originated from Vellingiri and the Boluvampatty Hills in the Western Ghats that had a cluster of small rivers and streams such as Chinnar, Periyar, Masaorambu, Mundanthurai and Kanchimaanadi rivers. From here, the river flowed 160 eastward and joined River Cauvery at a village called Noyyal in Erode District. The river system consisted of 20 anicuts and 28 tanks in Coimbatore District. Now, the objective was to remove the silt, strengthen the bunds and also carry out repairs to the sluices and support structures. The entire work was expected to be over in 10 days. Siruthuli Managing Trustee Vanita Mohan said there was overwhelming support from the farmers belonging to the Chithiraichavadi Paasana Vivasayigal Sangham.