Civic works go slow in VVIP constituencies

RK Nagar, once represented by the late CM J Jayalalithaa and now by AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran and Kolathur represented by DMK leader MK Stalin have drinking water and traffic congestion issues. The civic infra projects mooted in 2009 are still pending exposing the jinx in Local Administration Department. For instance, the overhead water tank at Thanikachalam Nagar in Kolathur started in 2009 is yet to see the light of the day.

“My siblings and their families reside in Thanikachalam Nagar, Ponniammanmedu from 2009. Every year, they are paying drinking water charges but there is no supply. Despite the construction of a huge overhead water tank, there is no drinking water pipeline connection,” said Mark Antony, a local. The residents are upset with Chennai metro water as their complaints had fallen on deaf ears.

“Almost in all the assembly session, our leader (Stalin) has raised the issues pertaining to his Kolathur constituency. Though minor issues are addressed, major projects like overhead water tanks, flyover etc., are delayed for political reasons,” said former mayor M Subramanian. Opposition MLAs are not briefed on smart city projects taken up in their constituencies. As a legislator, I also registered my complaints during the visit of Central monitoring committee members, Subramanian noted.

“The public are put to hardship by the administrators. Through the RK Nagar MLA office, we are addressing basic drinking water and drainage issues, but the major projects started by former CM Amma (Jayalalithaa) is put on hold,” fumed AMMK leader P Vettrivel. Amma started the earth breaking ceremony for Rs 117 crore bridgework in R K Nagar and bhoomi pooja for a six-acre park work was also conducted in Bharathi Nagar. Despite tender process and earth breaking ceremony completed, these projects are put on hold as the constituency is now represented by the rebel leader TTV Dhinakaran, Vettrivel alleged.

Municipal administration and water supply secretary Harmandher Singh, the overall administrative head for Chennai Corporation and Chennai metro water was not available for his comments.