Leave no room for public criticism during monsoon, Udhayanidhi tells officials

CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation and service departments should ensure that the developmental projects, and desilting of storm water drains and waterbodies should be completed without any delay in view of the northeast monsoon, Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin instructed on Wednesday.

Chairing a review meeting along with Municipal Administration Minister KN Nehru, Udhayanidhi noted that even if all measures were taken up promptly, the government would still face criticism if there is power disruption even for a day. To ensure uninterrupted supply, the Electricity Department should replace damaged poles and properly raise low-hanging cables. The transformers and junction boxes should be placed at a height of three feet above road level.

Also, Metro Rail works should be expedited to ensure that the people are not affected because of that during intense rains, Udhayanidhi said.

Noting that the people would not accept insufficient funds as an excuse for delays in completing work, he said precautionary measures should be given priority. “All departments should prioritise funding for essential works such as laying sewer lines and stormwater drain constructions. MPLAD and ward development funds should be used for this,” he said.

The Metro Water supply stations should operate during the monsoon, the minister directed. Road cut works should be completed within the specified time, and repair must be handed over to GCC. Also, barricades must be set up while cutting roads, he said.

Illegal sewage discharge from residential and commercial buildings into storm water drains should be plugged, he added.

Minister PK Sekarbabu; MPs Dayanidhi Maran, Kalanidhi Veerasamy and Thamizhachi Thangapandian; Mayor R Priya and deputy Mayor M Magesh Kumaar; senior officials D Karthikeyan, K Manivasan, and MA Siddique, GCC Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran and senior officials were part of the meeting.