CHENNAI : The Mugalivakkam Village Panchayat in Kancheepuram district has issued work orders for building storm water drains at a cost of Rs. 51 lakh.

The scheme, which has been endorsed by the district administration and Directorate of Rural Development recently, will be completed through public participation. The public contribution for the entire project amounts to Rs.10 lakh. A `Bhoomi Puja' was performed on Friday to mark the start of construction.

According to B. Govindaraj, panchayat president, closed storm water drains would be constructed from SSL Green Park Apartments at Madanandapuram; the drains will reach colonies such as Kumari Nagar, Himachal Nagar, Santosh Nagar, Gurusami Nagar and Ramya Nagar.

The work is long pending, as it had to overcome many administrative hurdles midway, Mr. Govindaraj said. In July 2005, residents of Madanandapuram took to the streets when rainwater mixed with sewage stagnated in the open ground allocated by the Mugalivakkam Village Panchayat for a park and playground.

While welcoming the move by the panchayat, N. Kannan, president, SSL Green Park Apartments Residents Association said the panchayat could have saved a lot of money if they had constructed the drains earlier. He hoped that the stagnation of water would not recur, and the drains would lead to a reduction in air and water pollution.

Selvaraj, panchayat assistant engineer, V. Ravichandran, panchayat vice-president, Reeta Selvaseeman, district panchayat ward member, Ramakrishnan, former Mugalivakkam panchayat president and panchayat ward members participated in the function.

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