Work on Anna Nagar link road project in the city has finally resumed after months of dithering and delay by the contractor.
The slow progress made in the project has attracted widespread criticism from residents and elected representatives as well. Some councillors at the corporation council’s meeting last month had even called for cancellation of the contract in view of the inordinate delay.
Over the last few days, construction activity has resumed at the site where a new bridge is to be built across the Uyyakondan river as part of the link road that would connect the Anna Nagar Main Road with Cantonment in the city.
The project was sanctioned several years ago at a cost of about Rs.4.38 crore, which includes a grant of Rs.1.20 crore from Seed Capital Assistance Scheme of Department of Town and Country Planning. The contract for the project, including the construction of the bridge, approach roads and drains alongside the road, was bagged by a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) functionary under the previous government. The work began a couple of years ago, but had made a little progress.
Corporation officials said that they hoped to complete the foundation for the new bridge across the river before the release of water for irrigation in the Uyyakondan river in the next couple of months.
The issue was raised at a consultative meeting with representatives of consumer organisations convened by Corporation Commissioner V.P.Thandapani on Monday. Sakunthala Srinivasan, president, Tiruchi Payaneetalar Iyakkam, drew the attention of the authorities to the inordinate delay in completing the project. Officials assured that the project would be brought to fruition soon.
Parking areas
At the meeting, S.Pushpavanam, secretary, Consumer Protection Council, Tamil Nadu, appealed to the corporation to initiate action against owners of commercial complexes who have violated the norms by converting basement parking areas into commercial space, especially in Thillai Nagar.
He also called for steps to remove encroachments along the Thennur High Road and Nandi Kovil Street, and called upon the civic body to explore steps to improve revenue.
Mr.Thandapani appealed to representatives of consumer organisations to extend their cooperation to the corporation in improving civic services and amenities in the city.
He suggested that consumer organisations put to effective use the new complaint registration system introduced by the corporation through dedicated mobile phones for each zone. So far, about 850 complaints have been received and addressed through the system, he said.
