A push for green cover across Tamil Nadu

The tree planting programme was launched in commemoration of the 68th birthday of the Chief Minister that falls on February 24. 

A sum of Rs 61.68 crore has been allotted for the tree planting scheme which would continue till December this year and would be planted in forest areas, campuses of educational institutions, government and private offices and bus routes of the Greater Chennai Corporation and other government agencies besides road side areas. 

The tree saplings to be planted include Banyan, Neem, Mantharai, Illuppai, Poovarasu, Punnai, Mahilam and Pungan. It may be recalled as part of the Chief Minister’s birthday in 2012, 64 lakh saplings were planted. A total of 65 lakh saplings in 2013, 66 lakh in 2014 and 67 lakh saplings in 2015 were planted. 

Apart from launching the planting of tree saplings programme at the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner Office premises in the city, Jayalalithaa also unveiled several completed projects including bridges, road projects and buildings at a cost of Rs 599.95 crore and laid foundation stones for more projects involving a total outlay of Rs 1002.02 crore in various parts of the State through video conferencing from the State Secretariat here. 

Jayalalithaa inaugurated a bridge across the Coleroon river in Srirangam built at a cost of Rs 75.47 crore, 42 bridges, two railway overbridges, two road projects and seven buildings constructed at a cost of Rs 599.95 crore on the occasion. 

The bridge across Coleroon river would help people from Namakkal, Perambalur, Ariyalur and Chennai to reach places of worship and tourist spots in Tiruchy easily.  

She inaugurated a four-lane road at East Coast Road near Vayaloor, built at a cost of Rs 105.20 crore, besides opening the link road to Ennore Port set up at a cost of Rs 188 crore. She also inaugurated overbridges including one near Koyambedu, Velacherry-Vijayanagaram bus stand, Medavakkam and in Salem.