CHENNAI: In a bid to involve citizens in local governance, mayor M Subramanian on Tuesday announced setting up of advisory or watch committees consisting of officials and residents in each of the 155 wards across the city to address civic issues.

The committee, meant to serve as an interface between the corporation and the public, will have 10 members led by the local councillor. It will have a junior engineer and a sanitary inspector as convenors and consist of representatives of local self-help groups, NGOs and resident associations. "The committee will meet twice a month to discuss civic issues that need immediate attention, including relaying of roads, desilting of canals and containing the mosquito menace," Subramanian said.

On the lines of local area managements in Mumbai, New Delhi and Hyderabad, the committees will enable the administration to resolve local issues with the participation of people. The 1,550 committee members will also hold periodical meetings under the chairmanship of the mayor and the commissioner of the corporation every two months. "Each member will be given a photo ID card soon," Subramanian added.

Activists and residents' associations have welcomed the plan. "I heartily welcome the decision. Though belated, it is an excellent initiative and long overdue," said MG Devesahayam, a former IAS official and managing trustee, Citizens Alliance for Sustainable Living.