Source : The Hindu Date : 12.06.2009
Corporation plans slum development
Staff Reporter
| Council also resolves to execute two drinking water projects at a cost of Rs. 22.22 crore |
Photo N. Rajesh 
Debate: Chairman of Tirunelveli zone S. Viswanatha Pandian arguing a point with councillor T. S. Murugan at the Tirunelveli corporation council meeting on Thursday.
TIRUNELVELI: The Corporation council has approved the proposal to build 750 new houses for the slum dwellers and renovate 1,253 houses in 69 slums falling within its jurisdiction under the Centre’s Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme at a cost of Rs. 13 crore and strengthen infrastructure facilities on an outlay of nearly Rs. 6.95 crore.
A total of 750 houses in the slums located at Thatchanallur (208 houses), Tirunelveli (323), Palayamkottai (209) and Melapalayam (10) zones will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 8.02 crore while 1,253 houses at Thatchanallur (412 houses), Palayamkottai (506), Melapalayam (113) and Tirunelveli (222) will be upgraded on an outlay of Rs. 5.01 crore.
For the laying of roads, cement roads, drainage channels, installation of streetlights and construction of community halls etc. in the slums, Rs. 6.95 crore will be spent.
The council meeting also resolved to execute two drinking water projects for wards 19, 26 and 27 in Melapalayam Zone and wards 8, 9 and 10, all at a cost of Rs. 22.22 crore, for which the State Government has given administrative sanction.
Alleging that the corporation officials did not respect the councillors, member T.S. Murugan said his repeated plea to construct drainage channel in a particular area was being ignored by them.
Chairman of Tirunelveli Zone, S. Viswanatha Pandian replied the officials had refrained from accepting the councillor’s demand as the residential area had come up on an unapproved layout.
Threat
“If the demand is accepted, the officials concerned will land in trouble,” he said.
However, an infuriated Mr. Murugan shouted that he would immolate himself if the officials continued to ignore his demands, which triggered laughter in the council hall.
