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2014, a year of unfulfilled corporation promises

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The Times of India       30.12.2014  

2014, a year of unfulfilled corporation promises

 

COIMBATORE: The civic body is known for passing resolutions and promising action. It had announced several projects in the last few years and also set aside a budget for preparing project reports. Most of the projects were supposed to begin in 2014 but that has not been the case. TOI takes a look at all the unfulfilled promises made by the civic body.

In the 2012 budget, the civic body had promised to construct an indoor stadium of international standards with swimming pool and sports hostel at a cost of Rs5.8cr. But it has remained on paper since then. Even though they passed the resolution again in the 2014 council meeting, sports officials are not confident about its implementation. "The indoor stadium and the astro-turf for hockey have been announced several times since 2004. But it remains on paper," said an official.

Another major delayed project is the scientific capping of the garbage at Vellalore dumpyard that was supposed to be completed by March, 2013 and later the date was shifted to July, 2014 and again, the civic body has announced a new date which is January, 2015.

The 11 scheme roads that were announced in the budget of 2012 and also in the 2013 budget, are yet to take off due to land acquisition issues. "We have come up with a new scheme called Transferrable Development Rights where the floor space index will be increased by 1% so that the public will give us the land for the road work," said a higher official at the corporation. This year, it has set aside substantial funds for restoration of the lakes which was announced in the last budget as well, said a civic activist.

According to officials, the multi-level car parking at R S puram will be delayed further and the bus stand at Vadavalli and Kavundampalayam might kick start in January 2015. Several ring roads and other road widening projects are at DPR stage, said an official. "For all the projects announced, the civic body has done its job of preparing a DPR. The government is yet to release funds for all the projects," added the official. The long pending Vellalore bus stand is all set to be kick started this year, he added.

Three new years have passed but the pending projects of the city remain the same. The civic body takes along with it the traffic congestion, source segregation and announced projects into yet another year. 

 

Chennai Corporation council approves creation of new posts

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The Times of India      30.12.2014 

Chennai Corporation council approves creation of new posts

 

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation faces dearth of professionals to deal with the city's development. This pushed the civic body to create new posts, all at the top level to be seated at the Ripon Buildings.

The council on Monday approved posts to be created for the director of parks, health education officer, senior law officer, municipal financial officer and three assistant sports officers.

This will now be sent to the state government for approval. The total salaries specified for these posts would cost the corporation Rs 2,91,170 per month.

Every department of the civic body came up with a list of the positions after identifying loopholes in the organizational structure and also redundant jobs that could be eliminated.

Many corporation officials say they are forced to handle multiple portfolios and are unable to concentrate on routine work.

"City corporations abroad have dedicated departments that have streamlined functions. Here we have sufficient workers at ground and lower levels but not enough professionals and experts on the top who can focus solely on one function," an official said. 

 

Mayor inspects storm water work

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The Hindu       04.12.2014  

Mayor inspects storm water work

Mayor A. Jaya inspecting the construction work of storm water drain at Pattabiraman Pillai street in Tiruchi on Wednesday.
Mayor A. Jaya inspecting the construction work of storm water drain at Pattabiraman Pillai street in Tiruchi on Wednesday.

Mayor A. Jaya on Wednesday inspected the construction of storm water drain at Pattabiraman Pillai street. Accompanied by the Corporation Engineer E. Chandran and Executive Engineer Nagesh, she visited the site and spent about 30 minutes at the site of construction, which is being implemented at a cost of Rs.50 lakh.

Asking the officials to ensure quality of works, she asked them to expedite them in order to complete the project within the stipulated time. She also inspected the storm water drain being constructed at an estimate of Rs.30 lakh at Viswas Nagar.

Ms. Jaya then visited Sivaprakasam joint road, where a flood prevention wall is being constructed at a cost of Rs.1.55 crore. She also inspected road work on Sivanthi Pillaiyar road and construction of community hall at Pandamangalam.

 


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