Trichy Corporation Forms Climate Action Panel to Tackle Urban Sustainability Challenges
Trichy Corporation has established a city climate action plan committee to address climate change risks and challenges through sustainable methods. The committee comprises elected representatives and technical experts who will work on integrating climate resilience into urban development. It will focus on projects that promote sustainability, including the upcoming 24X7 drinking water supply scheme, which will be implemented in six wards on a pilot basis.
Trichy has been selected under the Tamil Nadu Climate Resilient Urban Development (TNCRUDP) programme, a World Bank-funded initiative aimed at implementing climate-adaptive projects in urban areas. The city has already prepared a Climate Resilient City Action Plan (CRCAP), a document outlining measures for sustainable urban development. The newly formed committee will ensure that future projects align with this framework and contribute to long-term environmental stability.
Officials have identified transport, residential buildings, waste management, and street lighting as key sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the city. To address these concerns, the committee will explore strategies for improving energy efficiency, waste disposal, and urban planning. The focus will be on reducing emissions while maintaining essential services and infrastructure.
As part of the TNCRUDP requirements, an expert committee is necessary for overseeing climate action plans. Trichy Corporation has formed a nine-member committee that includes members from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), residents’ welfare associations (RWAs), corporation councillors, and senior corporation officials. This diverse representation is intended to ensure that the concerns of different stakeholders are considered in the decision-making process.
One of the primary areas of focus is the drinking water supply system. The committee will work towards promoting metered drinking water supply to regulate usage and minimize waste. Reducing non-revenue water loss, which includes water wasted during distribution, is also a key objective. These measures aim to improve efficiency and ensure equitable distribution of water resources.
Monitoring the impact of the 24X7 drinking water scheme will be a crucial responsibility of the committee. It will assess whether the project is being implemented effectively and if there are any unintended environmental consequences. Priscilla Sugantha, a senior specialist at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS) and a committee member, stated that the committee has been tasked with reviewing the environmental impact of the scheme to ensure it aligns with sustainability goals.
The committee will convene once every six months to evaluate progress and discuss new initiatives. It will also explore the promotion of green buildings, which incorporate design elements such as natural ventilation and lighting, rooftop solar power generation, and large-scale afforestation. These measures are expected to contribute to energy savings and environmental conservation.
Additionally, the committee will work on strategies to enhance waste management in the city. Efficient waste segregation, recycling initiatives, and improved disposal methods will be discussed to minimize landfill use and reduce pollution. Street lighting will also be reviewed, with a focus on transitioning to energy-efficient lighting systems.
The formation of this committee marks an important step in Trichy’s efforts to become a climate-resilient city. By integrating sustainability into urban planning and governance, the city aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change while improving the quality of life for its residents. The committee’s recommendations will play a significant role in shaping policies and projects that support long-term environmental and economic stability.