As local body polls near, aspiring councillors hit by delay in infra work

There are several stretches of State highways and Metro Rail projects that yet to be completed, which has resulted in the neighbouring houses and roads being inundated. This has given sleepless nights to the local politicians, especially those from the ruling party, who are gearing up for the upcoming local body polls.“The delay on the part of private contractors in executing government projects is the main reason for the spike in the number of monsoon related public complaints,” said Thiru Vi Ka Nagar MLA Thayagam Kavi, who recalled how he was forced to run behind the contractors to speed up the desilting of Otteri Nullah. “The objective of desilting is to ensure that there is no waterlogging or inundation. It would be better not to outsource certain civic works,” the MLA added.

At Annanur near Avadi, the State highways department had awarded the contract to construct a road overbridge over the level crossing at the railway station level crossing. “But for the past four years, the project has been progressing at a snail pace. This inordinate delay is now causing waterlogging in the locality,” complained said former DMK councillor R Sudhakaran.

Work on storm water drains at various parts of the city is another issue that the local politicians are raising. “The Greater Chennai Corporation began the storm water drain works opposite the city police commissioner’s office only two weeks ago. I don’t find any logic in taking up such works when it is raining,” added N Venkatesh, an AMMK functionary inEgmore.

When contacted, a senior official monitoring the monsoon related works said the projects pending due to the contractor’s negligence were discussed during a recent meeting at the State secretariat. “We are considering penalising such contractors for the delay,” the official said.