With elections for local bodies having been announced, the ongoing work on development of stormwater drains in various parts of the city is expected to be delayed further. Residents fear that the impact of this on the monsoon season is likely to be disastrous.
Construction of stormwater drains in Adyar and Cooum basins has started, covering a length of 270 km in Ambattur, Alandur and Valasaravakkam. "We have completed 50 km of drain so far," said an official.
Work on 33 drains has also started in the old city limits. During previous elections, opposition parties have objected to civic development work owing to the model code of conduct. But the opposition to civic development projects is expected to be weak during this election, said officials.
However, some officials said they would not be able to review the progress of the civic infrastructure development projects owing to election work. Owing to shortage of manpower, most of the 20,000 employees of the Chennai Corporation are likely to be on election duty, affecting the progress of infrastructure work.
Thus, work may gain momentum only after the new council is constituted. “But the onset of the monsoon may further delay the works,” said an official. The civic body had planned to give priority to desilting and completion of key stretches of stormwater drains ahead of the monsoon.
