With the Lok Sabha polls getting over in Tamil Nadu, Chennai Corporation will resume work on relaying of roads in various parts of the city from next week.
“The model code of conduct is still in force. But we will be able to resume works started before notification of the elections. The opposition to road works from political party functionaries is expected to reduce following the completion of elections,” said an official of Chennai Corporation.
Opposition to road development works was intense in the run-up to elections in areas such as Saidapet, T. Nagar and Triplicane.
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“Work on concrete roads in stretches such as Hyder Ali Khan Road, Triplicane and Seshachalam Road in Saidapet were stopped by agitated political party functionaries a few weeks ago. The work orders for the projects were issued before notification of the elections. Yet the police and the returning officers advised suspension of work. Contractors too were scared of damage to concrete road infrastructure. So road works stopped in the city,” said the official.
Works on few bituminous road stretches were also stopped because of intense political campaigning by star campaigners and senior political leaders such as DMK leader M. Karunanidhi, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and DMDK leader Vijayakanth in the city.
Around 800 of the 1,063 concrete roads proposed to be developed have been completed so far.
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The deadline of March 2014 for the first phase of 1,063 interior roads getting white topping will be extended.
Of the 10,000 stretches cleared by the Corporation Council before notification of elections, as many as 9,000 will have bitumen roads. Work on Marina Loop Road and cement concrete roads on 12 bus route roads at Rs. 76 crore will also resume shortly. The Corporation has proposed to develop as many as 18,000 interior roads this year.