Vikram Kapur took charge as the new Chennai Corporation commissioner on Friday.
After taking charge at 5 p.m., Mr. Vikram Kapur politely refused to comment on civic challenges or his plan of action for coping with such civic challenges in the city. He instead requested media persons to wait for a few days before he could come up with a plan of action and priorities for civic improvement.
The new commissioner did not hold a press conference on Friday unlike previous commissioners who clearly stated their plan of action and priorities on the very first day. However, Mr. Kapur’s decision to review the civic conditions pertaining to public health, solid waste, family welfare and mechanical engineering department at the first meeting at 3 p.m. on Saturday has indicated that he is more concerned about such civic challenges.
The existing civic scenario in the city indicates that the new commissioner is likely to face more challenges pertaining to public health and solid waste management in the coming months. After meeting Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy at 5.40 p.m., Mr. Kapur spent some time in the Council Hall that has been renovated.
He turned nostalgic for a few moments when he was in the vicinity of the room where he worked as deputy commissioner in 1993 as a young IAS officer. The renovation of the room was under way as part of the Ripon Buildings restoration work. All heads of department then called on the new commissioner. Mr. Kapur left the Ripon Buildings premises at 7.40 p.m.
He will get a taste of the city’s conservancy operations at the weekly meeting at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Officials pointed to his conspicuous eye for detail in the latest civic developments in the city. “He seems to delve deep into any civic issue,” said an official.
