With the Model Code of Conduct coming into force all of a sudden on Tuesday following the announcement of bye-elections in Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly constituency, the Chennai Corporation Council was unable to pass resolutions pertaining to major infrastructure projects at its meeting on Wednesday.
Several infrastructure projects were expected to be approved by the Corporation Council on Wednesday as they had been cleared by standing committees in the past weeks. They included a Rs.114-crore project to construct a bridge over two railway level crossings on Ennore High Road and Manali Road in Korrukupet.
The bridge, once completed, will ease traffic in areas under R.K. Nagar Assembly constituency and other areas in north Chennai. After a public consultation several months ago, the project was delayed due to concerns raised by various stakeholders. Now, the project will be further delayed.
“Residents were demanding speedy construction of the bridge to ease traffic congestion. Ambulances are forced to wait for more than 30 minutes on the stretch. Reaching hospitals such as Stanley Medical College and Hospital and RSRM on time remains a challenge for ambulances ferrying accident victims from such areas,” said V. Anna Durai, a resident.
A number of hospitals, including 40-bed secondary care facility, were also proposed to be launched shortly. Councillors of Dravida Munetra Kazhagam and Indian National Congress staged a walkout on Wednesday saying the Council meeting was being used to seek political mileage rather than discussion of civic issues.
