Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Kudamuritti river to be widened and desilted

TIRUCHI: The Uyyakondan and Kudamuritti rivers and other irrigation/drainage channels in Tiruchi would be desilted and widened as part of the flood prevention scheme sanctioned by the government, Transport Minister K. N. Nehru has said.

Seven culverts and narrow bridges between the Dindigul Highway and the Vayalur Road would be widened as part of the scheme, he said speaking at annual special meeting of the Consumer Protection Council, Tamil Nadu, here recently.

The Kudamuritti river would be widened taking into account the flow of water during floods and additional vents would be constructed at the Puthur weir to regulate the flood discharge.

The bunds of the Cauvery and the Coleroon rivers would also be strengthened under the project, with the assistance of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Deputy Mayor M. Anbazhagan said that the Corporation has forwarded proposals for constructing storm water drains in the City to ensure quick draining of rain water during the monsoon.

The Council Secretary S. Pushpavanam sought steps to divert the surplus discharges from the jungle streams in Manapparai and Pudukotai regions, which was the main reason for frequent flooding in the City. He insisted that all encroachments on water courses be evicted impartially.

The flood prevention scheme should be implemented in a transparent manner and the details of the works along with the contractors executing the project should be kept on public display.

Referring to the large number of road accidents in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Pushpavanam called for better fleet maintenance and imparting training to the bus crew to avoid accidents. Steps should also be taken to enforce the use of fare metres in autorickshaws and fish-carts should be banned. Regional Transport Offices should be made corruption free.

Responding to his views, Mr. Nehru said that the increasing number of vehicles was one of the major reasons for accidents. There were 97 lakh vehicles in the State and every day 4000 to 6,000 new ones were being added. Accident spots were being identified by the government and emergency relief centres, with ambulances, were being set up. The State Government has allotted Rs.7 crore for repairing roads in the city.

Efforts were being made to vacuum clean buses on a daily basis. The suggestion on making wearing name badges mandatory for bus crew would be implemented, Mr. Nehru assured the council members.

The president of the council R. Natarajan, who was in the chair, appealed to the Transport Minister to take steps to disburse the interest dues for depositors of the Chinthamani Cooperative Stores, who have been refunded only the principal amount. Anbil Periasamy, MLA, attended the meeting.

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