Fund crunch, dampener in PWD works

Sources in the department said though they had already sent many proposals, enough funds were not sanctioned. However, the department had undertaken post-flood works such as removing encroachments on the banks of Adyar and Cooum rivers. 

Of the Rs 50 crore proposal sent for master projects, the department has received only Rs 20 crore while they are yet to receive the funds for desilting proposals that was estimated to cost at least Rs 20 crore. 

A senior engineer, Palar Basin Circle, Chennai region, said, “We have been continuously taking up works in various water bodies only with the sanctioned funds. We will surely send another proposal so that we can expedite the work.” 

“Funds were only allotted minimally and we could take up only part of the works. We hope to get more and enough funds from the government,” he added. A Veerappan, former special chief engineer, Chennai region said that funds are essential to complete or go ahead with the work. “If enough funds are allocated, we can proceed at a fast pace. At the same time, the PWD should also go the extra mile to carry out monsoon preparatory works,” he said. He pointed out that the officials should inspect all the lakes and areas where there were breaches during the last year rains.