Tamil Nadu assigns ministers to oversee all 15 Chennai Corporation zones

CHENNAI: The TVK-led government has, for the first time, appointed ministers as in-charges of all 15 zones of the Greater Chennai Corporation to oversee development works and coordinate flood preparedness ahead of the northeast monsoon.

According to an order issued by Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar, Minister Ramesh will monitor Tiruvottiyur and Manali zones, while Minister D Lokesh Tamil-selvan will oversee Madhavaram and Tondiarpet.

• Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Ramesh has been assigned responsibility for Tiruvottiyur Zone-1 and Manali Zone-2.

• T Lokesh Tamilselvan, Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, will oversee Madhavaram Zone-3 and Tondiarpet Zone-4.

Minister KG Arunraj has been assigned Royapuram and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, while Minister Vijay Balaji will monitor Ambattur, Anna Nagar and Teynampet. Minister TK Prabhu will oversee Kodambakkam and Valasaravakkam.

• Dr KG Arunraj, Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, has been assigned Royapuram Zone-5 and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar Zone-6.

• M Vijay Balaji, who handles the Handlooms, Textiles and Khadi Department, will oversee Ambattur Zone-7, Anna Nagar Zone-8 and Teynampet Zone-9.

Ministers A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban and K Vignesh will jointly monitor Alandur, Adyar, Perungudi and Sholinganallur. Minister Aadhav Arjuna, the in-charge minister for Chennai district, will coordinate works across all 15 zones.

• Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, Minister for Transport, will oversee Alandur Zone-12 and Adyar Zone-13.

• K Vignesh, who handles the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, has been assigned Perungudi Zone-14 and Sholinganallur Zone-15.

• Dr TK Biju, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, has been assigned Kodambakkam Zone-10 and Valasaravakkam Zone-11.

The State government has also appointed IAS officers as monitoring officials for each zone. They have been directed to visit their respective zones and coordinate with Corporation Commissioner Sameeran to ensure preparedness for the northeast monsoon.

Officials will be responsible for identifying vulnerable areas, mapping and analysing risk-prone locations, making institutional arrangements, pre-positioning personnel and materials, undertaking capacity-building measures and implementing mitigation measures. They will also oversee sanitation, deployment arrangements, traffic and communication plans, relief and shelter facilities and medical preparedness.

The Chief Secretary has directed the monitoring officials to visit their respective zones and coordinate with the Corporation Commissioner Sameeran to ensure effective preparedness for the northeast monsoon.

(With Online Desk inputs)