Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi (centre) chairing a meeting to review arrangements for the World Classical Tamil Conference, in Coimbatore. Also seen are Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin (left) and Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi (right).
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Monday reviewed progress of various infrastructure development works being carried out to give a facelift to the city, which is hosting the World Classical Tamil Conference, starting from June 23.
The developmental works, at a cost of about Rs.300 crore, are being carried out under direct supervision of Deputy Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, with state ministers, heading different committees, overseeing the works from time to time.
The state highways department and electricity board were involved in carrying out road works and they were likely to be completed by June, official sources said.
The five-day conference is being inaugurated by President, Pratibha Patil and special stage at five places would be erected for the VVIPs to witness the procession with 40 floats, displaying the tradition, culture and history of Tamil Nadu.
Railways and Airport Authority of India are also upgrading their various facilities in the railway stations and Airport, in view of the conference, the sources said.
Karunanidhi would head a special session titled ‘Engum Tamil, Ethilum Tamil,’ (Tamil everywhere, Tamil in everything), in which leaders of different political parties are expected to participate, they said.
A stage measuring 80-foot long and 80-foot wide is being erected in a pandal in the size of 4.40 lakh square feet, to accommodate more than 60,000 persons to witness the day-to-day proceedings, the sources said.
Coimbatore Collector P. Umanath explaining to Deputy Chief Minister
Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday inspected various development works being carried out in the city for the World Classical Tamil Conference which will be held here from June 23 to 27.
An officials release said he sought information about the ‘Semmozhi Poonga’, the park being set up on 45 acres at Rs. 20 crore, the Rs. 8-crore bus stand on Mettupalayam Road and the Rs.30-crore Vadavalli-Kavundampalayam drinking water supply scheme.
The Deputy Chief Minister also inspected the V.O.C Grounds where 40 floats were being assembled for the conference. He inspected the entrance to the V.O.C. Park and the five places on Avinashi Road where VIPS and dignitaries would witness the procession on June 23.
Mr. Stalin also visited the CODISSIA complex and inspected two conference halls, seating arrangements and the audio/video facilities that were being set up. He asked the officials concerned to complete the works by the first week of June.
Ministers Pongalur N. Palanisamy, M.P. Saminathan and K. Ramachandran were among those who accompanied Mr. Stalin.
Inspection: Health Minister M.R.K. Paneerselvam checking a sump from which drinking water will be supplied to the World Classical Tamil Conference venue, in Coimbatore on Thursday. Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy (right), Coimbatore Collector P. Umanath (second right) and Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra (left) are in the picture
COIMBATORE: As many as 20 ambulances of the 108 toll free service and the creation of exclusive wards are some of the measures that will be carried out to ensure that a good health care apparatus is in place in the city during the World Classical Tamil Conference from June 23 to 27.
Listing these measures to presspersons after a review of the arrangements here on Thursday, Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam said 13 ambulances were already available in Coimbatore under the joint programme of the State Government and the Emergency Management and Research Institute.
The additional ambulances would help in bolstering the emergency care system during the conference, he said.
The Coimbatore Corporation would carry out intensive measures to ensure hygiene across the city during the five days of the conference. The Department of Public Health would carry out mosquito control measures in the areas surrounding the city.
The State Government had sanctioned Rs.8 crore to the Corporation and the health department to carry out sanitation and diseases-prevention measures during the conference, the Minister said.
The review meeting discussed the emergency medical care arrangements for delegates.
“Private hospitals in the city have offered to create a 50-bed ward each to treat delegates of the conference if they experience health problems,” Mr. Panneerselvam, who heads the Health Committee for the conference, said.
A three-bed health centre would be established outside the conference venue, the CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex. A five-bed centre would be put up inside the venue.
Medicines
Besides doctors and paramedical staff, all necessary equipment and adequate stock of medicines would be available at these centres.
A co-ordinator would be appointed and this person would function from the Collectorate.
A medical helpline (phone number 2211000) would be available during the conference.
Coimbatore Collector P. Umanath, who took part in the review, said 20 lines would be provided under this helpline.
The Minister, however, said there would be no screening of delegates/visitors for A (H1N1) influenza.
The Union Government itself had withdrawn screening. When the case of a flu positive woman, admitted to a private hospital in the city early this month, was pointed out, the Minister said a panic should not be created now. There was no indigenous case in Coimbatore.
Stating that Tamil Nadu had been successful in tackling the flu, Mr. Panneerselvam asserted that the health department would take swift action to contain any spread if a positive case was found. Constant surveillance would be maintained, he said.
As for hygiene across the city, the Minister said the Corporation had 2,600 conservancy workers. It would engage another 400 to meet the conservancy requirement during the conference.
Mr. Panneerselvam said a special team of 20 Food Inspectors of the Corporation would go around the city to ensure that the food served at various outlets was safe for consumption.
Health Secretary V.K. Subburaj, Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra and officials of the Department of Public Health took part in the meeting.
