The revised Under Ground Drainage (UGD) rates proposed by the Commissioner of the Municipal Administration (CMA) have sent shock waves among the residents of Pallavaram, Keezhkattalai, Chromepet and Hasthinapuram.The rates have not been implemented as the Pallavapuram Municipality, in its council meeting recently, unanimously rejected the proposed revised rates by the CMA, when it was placed for its approval.
The residents have appealed to the Commissioner, to revise the rates, which is high when compared to other Municipalities in the State.
Residents say though the rates are decided on the square foot basis, it is unreasonably high when compared with the charges levied by the Chennai Corporation.
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Residents, whose homes are in the range of one and 700 square feet should pay Rs.100; for those in the 701 to 1,200 sq.ft range, it is Rs.150; between 1,201 and 2,400 sq.ft, it is Rs.200; and from 2,401 sq.ft onwards, it is Rs. 250.
The deposit charges which ranges between Rs.10,000 and Rs.20,000, applies to new UGD connections.
“The members of Federation of Civic and Welfare Associations of Pallavaram have been holding numerous protest meetings since 2012. Petitions have been forwarded to the Chief Minister Cell, Pallavapuram Municipality and Pallavaram MLA P. Dhansingh, requesting for the reduction of UGD rates,” K. Subramanian, a resident of Chromepet, said.
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“A couple of months ago, the members of the Federation met K. Phanindra Reddy, principal secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, in the presence of Dhansingh and K.M.R. Nissar Ahmed, chairman, Pallavapuram Municipality, to discuss the issue. An assurance was given that the rates will be revised,” he pointed out.
“The revised rates have come as a shock. Not many people can afford to pay the revised rates monthly. The rates should be revised further,” V. Purushothaman, another resident said. K. Phanindra Reddy has promised to meet the residents soon regarding the same.