The Madras High Court has expressed concern that the Chennai Corporation is still in the stage of feasibility study in respect of using mechanical devices for removing silt from storm water drains. When a PIL against manual cleaning of SWDs came up, the First Bench comprising Chief Justice S.K.Kaul and Justice M.M.Sundresh referred to the civic body’s submission that it proposed to engage a consultant to conduct the study and observed that the Corporation was still in the stage of studies being conducted rather than implementation. It said necessary action had already been taken by the CMWSSB. That experience is available to the Corporation for use.
The Corporation should set forth a clear road map when the process of procuring machines would be completed and the cleaning of the drains would be done. It should file a better affidavit clarifying the position within eight weeks. The Bench passed the order on a PIL petition by Change India, a social welfare organisation.
It posted the matter for June 4 for reporting compliance.
