Civic Problems and Solutions for Perambalur Town, TN, India

Dr. T. RajaramProfessor in Civil - Environmental Engineering

Sustainable Technologies Lab

M.A.M. COLLEGE OF ENGINEERINGSIRUGANUR, TRICHY.

Dr. T. RajaramProfessor in Civil - Environmental Engineering

Sustainable Technologies Lab

M.A.M. COLLEGE OF ENGINEERINGSIRUGANUR, TRICHY.

Nature of collaboration Planned with various departments of District Administration

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Joint Research Projects on specific local problems involving faculty and students

Joint Research proposals for funding from Govt. Agencies like DST, Earth Science, Water Resources, etc.

Joint Development of Technologies for unique local problems such as removal of Iron, Nitrate from Ground water

Joint workshops, training programs and seminars focused on specific problems in the District.

9-Jun-13Sustainable Technologies Lab - MAM College of Engineering

Objectives of this proposal for joint collaboration

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The primary objective of this exercise is to contribute the technical resources available with MAM College of Engineering for the betterment of the local community in the immediate vicinity of the institution

Further this joint collaboration will enhance knowledge sharing between the field professionals and academic community resulting in mutual benefits for both.

By involving students in these problems affecting the society, they stand to gain a deep insight into the role they have to play in future as pillars of our country.

Identified problems and suggested action

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Problems have been identified based on a primary survey of natural resources and civic infrastructure in Perambalur town

Identification of problems were also based on the project co-ordinator’s(Dr. T. Rajaram) experience of having witnessed the evolution of this town right from 1970s as a native of this town.

As urban areas around India are witnessing enormous problems due to migration from rural areas, solutions developed have high potential of being useful for a majority of towns in our country and elsewhere.


Resources expected from District Administration

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For joint study projects

access to department laboratory for analysis of samples,

access to data available with the departments

For Joint R&D projects with external funding

letter of intent indicating interest and non-financial support

For Joint workshops, training programs with external funding

letter of intent indicating interest and financial support if possible.


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Problems IdentifiedDeficient rainsClimate change – projected deficit of -50% in rainfall in the coming yearsSewage collection and transfer outside the town limitsImpervious paving of streets and drainsInadequate recharge mechanisms in houses and town

Action RequiredPrecise estimation of water available in the aquifersDesign of system for pumping of treated sewage from STP back to upper lakeIdentification of recharge points on Govt. land throughout the town and design of appropriate recharge structuresStudy of rainfall runoff pattern in the town and design of adequate connections to recharge points (temple ponds, percolation ponds, etc)Future planning for STPs in each zone of the town and reuse in the same location to avoid costs of centralized wastewater treatment and recycling


Lake System and Sewage flows(with Municipality and TWAD Board)

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Lakes

Present sewage outflow to sewage treatment Plant from final pumping station

Required return pipeline of treated sewage for sustainable water resources


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Problems identified

Most of the wells are saline / non-potable

Increased household expenditure on purified water/ water filters

Blockage and fouling of water pipes

Uncertainty in Cauvery water supply due to climate change and power cuts

Incidence of kidney stones and other ailments

Action Required

Water quality survey to identify the level of contaminants

Design of low cost system to remove these contaminants at household level


Problems identifiedInflow of sewage for many decadesImproper sanitation around the lakeMiddle lake fully eutrophiedLower lake fully eutrophiedUpper lake relatively in good conditionbut needs desilting of lake area andinflow and outflow channelsAction RequiredAssessment of pollutant level in Water andsedimentsImplementation of appropriate remediationtechnique to remove the pollutantsDesign of constructed wetland to stop sewageFrom entering the lakes

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Problems identified

Traffic problems predicted to get worse due to increase in vehicular registration

Current Bottlenecks at Roever Arch, Sangupettai, Kamarajar arch, Municipal office, Old bus stand

Unregulated traffic lanes and speed from Pallakarai Roundturn to Roever Arch

Rash driving of three wheeled public carriers (Share Autos)

Action Required

Traffic survey at bottlenecks for design of traffic Islands and optimization of signals

Planned phase out of three wheeled public carriers (share autos)


Current Traffic Bottlenecks

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1

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Problems Identified

Same problems faced by other towns and cities

No segregation

Burning of garbage

Open dumping and burning on the outskirts

Action Required

Research and planning of policy measures

Ban / control on use of plastic bags/ packaging

Adoption of various measures which have succeeded in other cities

Sustainable Technologies Lab - MAM College of Engineering 9-Jun-13

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Dissemination of information through SMS

various projects/ schemes

RTI related information

Grievance logging and redressal

Contracts issued and stages of completion

Availability of information on websites of Collectorate, Municipality

regarding funds allocated, contracts assigned, stages of completion, etc


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PachamalaiPachamalai and other lake systemsand other lake systems

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Assessment of Water quality, Ground water usage and recharge based on GPS taggedGeographical Information System (GIS)

Sustainable Technologies Lab - MAM College of Engineering 9-Jun-13

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Millennium Development Goal – 7 (with DRDA, TWAD)

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Problems identified

Major portion of rainfed farmland hit by deficit rains

Irrigated farmlands adopting inefficient irrigation techniques

Decrease in farmland due to conversion for other profitable activities

Action required

Wider adoption of sprinklers and rainguns

Development of low cost rainguns through local entrepreneurs

Insitu testing and consultation for water and soil quality


Research road map of PG Centre in Environmental EngineeringSustainable Technologies Lab

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LCA , EIA

Sustainable Materials –

Technology -Strategy

Water Resources Mgt. –Ground water recharge,

assessment, planning

Concrete Technology- Alternative waste

materials for cement, sand and aggregates

SEA, SA

Environmental Engg.- biomass

energy, low energy wastewater recycling

Infrastructure Engg.-more durable

materials, low carbon footprints, green

buildings


Profile of Project Co-ordinator from MAMCEDr. T. Rajaram, B.E., M.E., Ph.D.

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Educational Qualifications:

Ph.D. Environmental Engineering, SASTRA University, April 2010.Class/ Achievement : Six international journal publicationsThesis title: Enhancement of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in India through integrated assessment and simulation of sustainability linkages

M.E. Environmental Engineering, NIT, Surat, 1998.Class/ Achievement : 75.4 (I with Distinction), First Rank overall.B.E. Civil Engineering, NIT, Surat, 1996.Class/ Achievement : 70.5 (I with Distinction), Gold medal in Environ. Engg.

Research Area: Sustainability Assessment of coupled human-natural systems, Sustainable technologies, Green buildings, Wastewater recycling.Recognised Ph.D. Supervisor of Anna University, Chennai

Details of professional and research experience

May 2011- till date: Professor in Department of Civil Engineering, M.A.M. College of Engineering, Tiruchirapalli.Teaching & Research in Civil, Environmental Engineering.

Jan 2004 –April 2011: Lecturer (till Aug 2008), Assistant Professor –III (till July 2010), Senior Assistant Professor (till April 2011) in School of Civil Engineering SASTRA University, Thanjavur.Teaching & Research in Civil, Environmental Engineering.Was a member of research team for two DST Sponsored Research projects.


Dr. T. Rajaram ( contd….)

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May 2001 – Dec 2003: Engineer – Projects, VA Tech Wabag Ltd.,Chennai. (MNC Ranked No. 3 globally in the field of Water Solutions).Execution of Sewage treatment plants, Water treatment plants, Demineralization plants for Chennai Metro, Bangalore Metro, Chennai Petroleum Corporation.

Dec 1999 – April 2001: Engineer-Technical Support, Enviro Science & Engg. Pvt. Ltd., Chennai. As a consultant in Environmental Engineering. Preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports for Industrial projects. Research & development of treatment schemes for Industrial Effluent & Sewage Treatment (Pesticides, Fine Chemicals, Metal Treatment, etc).

Aug 1998- Dec 1999: Lecturer in Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Surat, Gujarat.Teaching and Consultancy in Environmental Engineering, Wastewater treatment, environmental auditing for industries.

Professional Recognition: Reviewer for the following International Journals

1. Journal of Infrastructure Systems. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2. Knowledge-Based Systems, Elsevier 3. International Journal of Sustainable Energy, Taylor & Francis, UK 4. Sustainability Science, Springer – Univ. of Tokyo & United Nations University.

5. Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment, Academic Journals (open access)


List of significant publications :List of papers published from Ph.D. work in refereed International Journals with Impact

Factor:

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Rajaram T. and Das Ashutosh, ‘Screening for EIA in India: enhancing effectiveness through Ecological Carrying Capacity approach’, Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 92, Issue 1, Jan 2011, pages 140-148, Elsevier. Impact Factor-2.367.

Rajaram T. and Das Ashutosh, ‘Modeling of interactions among sustainability components of an agro-ecosystem using local knowledge through cognitive mapping and fuzzy inference system’, Expert Systems with Applications, Volume 37, Issue 2, March 2010, Pages 1734-1744, Elsevier, Impact Factor- 2.908.

Rajaram T. and Das Ashutosh, ‘A methodology for integrated assessment of rural linkages in a developing nation’, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, volume 26, number 2, June 2008, pages 99-113, International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA)-Beech Tree Publishing, UK. SNIP – 0.320.

Rajaram T. and Das Ashutosh, ‘Water Pollution by Industrial Effluents in India: Discharge Scenarios and Case for Participatory Ecosystem Specific Local Regulation’, Futures, Elsevier, Volume 40, Issue 1, February 2008, Pages 56-69. SNIP-0.454.

Rajaram T. and Das Ashutosh, ‘Sustainable Frugality through EIA: Role of Socio-ecological linkages in poverty alleviation’, Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Emerald Publishing, UK. Vol. 18. No. 5. 2007. SNIP-0.176.

Rajaram T. and Das Ashutosh, ‘Need for participatory and sustainability principles in India’s EIA system: lessons from the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project’, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, volume 24, number 2, June 2006, pages115-126, International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA)-Beech Tree Publishing, UK. SNIP – 0.320.

Other International publications

Rajaram T. and Suribabu C.R., Discussion of "Evaluating Environmental Impact in Water Distribution System Design" by L. M. Herstein, Y. R. Filion, and K. R. Hall. Journal of Infrastructure Systems. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), March 2011, pp 52. SNIP-0.758

Ravichandran K.S., Rajaram T., and Ashutosh Das, ‘A Fuzzy Based Ranking of Dominance among Water Quality Parameters for Modeling: A Case Study’, International Journal of Ecology & Development (ISSN 0972-9984), Volume 4, No. S06, Summer 2006, pp 51-64.

Rajaram T. and Das Ashutosh, ‘Study on Suitability of Water Quality for Mass Bathing in Southern Kumbha Mela Festival (Mahamaham) Using Fuzzy Inference System’, Pollution research, Issue No. 2, 2006. SNIP-0.028

Das Ashutosh, Rajaram T., Srihari V., & Subramanyam B, Water Quality Assessment of Tsunami (26th December, 2004)-affected Regions of Tamil Nadu, India (Nagapattinam-Vedaranyam Stretch), Journal of Haematology & Ecotoxicology 1(1), 2006: pp 35-39.


List of Research Projects Dr. T. Rajaram ( contd….)

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Research Projects

1. Key Team Member for two DST Sponsored projects-

a) Study at Mahamaham tank to monitor the water quality and to derive a model on the variants of water quality, DST-SERC, 2003-2004, Rs. 3,60,000.

b) Water Quality Assessment in the Tsunami Affected Coastal Areas of Tamil Nadu – Nagapattinam to Vedaranyam, DST-ESS, April –Sept, 2005, Rs. 3,33,000.

2. Co-Investigator, Design of Water Purification System for Temple Tank at Vaitheeswaran Kovil, Tamil Nadu, Sponsored by SASTRA Deemed University, 2006-2007, Rs. 2,00,000.

3. Sustainability Assessment of Urban Transportation System – Tiruchirapalli City – Sponsored by MAM College of Engineering, 2012-2013, Rs. 50,000. ongoing.

Unpublished Reports:

Environmental Impact Assessment Reports submitted to the Ministry of Environment & forests, Govt. of India, for the following Industrial projects:

- Amrutanjan Fine Chemicals Ltd., Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Tagros Chemicals India Ltd., SnowcemIndia Ltd., Alstom Ltd., Nelcast ltd.


Dr. T. Rajaram ( contd….)

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Books PublishedInternational :Rajaram T., Ashutosh Das, 2012, Sustainability Assessment of Coupled Human-Natural Systems, ISBN-10: 3848490994, 236 pages, LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, Germany.

Research work engaged in at presentSustainability Assessment with special focus on coupled human-natural systems prevalent in India.Assessment of EIA system in India Application of cognitive mapping and fuzzy inference system for simulation of sustainability scenariosTreatment and reuse of sewage through constructed wetlandsVulnerability assessment of agro-ecosystems due to climate change

Ph.D. Guidance (Ongoing)

Currently guiding two scholars on:Vulnerability Assessment of Agro-ecosystems to Climate changeSustainability Assessment of a Watershed

Consultancy Projects Executed.

Environmental Impact Assessment for Industries : Amrutanjan Fine Chemicals Ltd., Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Tagros Chemicals India Ltd., Snowcem India Ltd., Alstom Ltd., Nelcast ltd.Environmental Management Plan for Amrutanjan Fine Chemicals Ltd., ., Tagros Chemicals India Ltd., SnowcemIndia Ltd., Nelcast ltd., Amaravathi Paper mills Ltd.Effluent treatment Plant for Tagros Chemicals India Ltd., Pioneer Miyagi Chemicals Ltd. Sewage Treatment Plants for SASTRA Deemed University


Highlights about M.A.M College of Engineering Siruganur, Tiruchirappalli,

patronized by Maluk Educational, Health and Charitable Trust

The college was established on 10.02.1999

Janab. M. Abdul Majedu is the founder Chairman.

Dr. S. Sathikh, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Madras is the Chairman of the College Governing Council

Dr. M.A. Maluk Mohamed, Ph.D. (IIT Madras), is the Principal and also one of the managing trustees.

• Dr. Mohideen Ibramsha, Ph.D. (IIT Kanpur), is Dean-Research.

HIGHLIGHTS continued……..27

17% of our faculty members are Ph.D. qualified and 69% PG qualified.

Obtained Research Projects worth 2 Crores.

Anna University of Chennai has recognized MAM College of Engineering to be Centres for Research in areas of Electrical Sciences (which includes dept of EEE and EIE) , IT/ CSE, Mechanical Engineering and Management studies.

Institute has provided laptop computer for all faculty members with wi-fi connectivity for enhanced teaching and research

Institute has the highest number of faculty in the country trained under Wipro’s Mission 10x programme in pedagogy and high impact teaching skills

Separate server providing NPTEL e-learning material developed by IIT professors available for students through intranet.

To induce interest on research among students and faculty members, a GRID research lab has been established in association with University of Melbourne, Australia.

20 Unified learning kits have been installed by which students of any circuit branch can do their project in 18 different domains

32 Mbps leased line Internet connectivity. Wi-Fi connectivity all over the campus. Microsoft certified campus agreement.


HIGHLIGHTS of MAM College of Engineering (contd…)

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Comprehensive placement oriented training is given to our students right from first year by our Training and Placement department.

Best academic practices are adopted leading to development of personality and excellence in career.

All class rooms are enabled with Hi-tech digital equipments.

Fully equipped laboratories.

Modern library with more than 32,000 volumes of books and more than 1500 international journals.

Uninterrupted power supply with stand by generator of 460 KVA.


Department of Civil Engineering29

Date of establishment: July 2009

Department with the most experienced faculty team in the zone

Faculty student ratio – 1:14

Faculty cadre : 4 Prof. + 2 Assoc. Prof. + 10 Asst. Prof.

Full fledged laboratories for teaching and research

PG program in Environmental Engineering

All faculty members provided with laptop and wi-fi connectivity by institute for enhanced

teaching and research

Collaborative interdisciplinary research focus among various departments of MAMCE

Synergistic research focus through special interest groups for each discipline among

engineering, architecture and management institutes within the campus


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Research council at MAMCE

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A Research council has been active at MAMCE with the objectives of expediting research at two major fronts.

To from a group for brainstorming and preparation of research proposals for external funding

To monitor and encourage innovative research by doctoral research scholars

This council is headed by Dr. Mohideen Ibramsha, Ph.D. (IIT Kanpur), Dean-Research and chaired by Dr. M.A. Maluk Mohamed, Ph.D. (IIT Madras), Principal.

Special Interest groups have also been formed for each disciple of engineering comprising of doctorates from all departments under MAM group of institutions to expand the scope of research review and brainstorming.

Sustainable Technologies Lab - MAM College of Engineering