Deccan Chronicle 01.08.2013
Pre-moonsoon preparatory works begin in earnest
Chennai: Chennai corporation has begun its pre-monsoon renovation work.
The
civic body, which has taken up stormwater drain and road restoration,
will convene a high-level meeting next week, involving the heads of
about 30 government departments including metro water, PWD, city
police, fire and rescue service, fisheries, and the meteorological
department.
The management of flood and rescue operations will be discussed, Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy said.
During
the previous DMK regime, the annual pre-monsoon meetings were
conducted only during September and October. Through 2008 to 2011, all
rain-related meetings were held just ahead of the northeast monsoon,
resulting in waterlogging.
The corporation has
therefore advanced the meeting and pre-monsoon works like the desilting
of drains and repair of battered roads, would start soon after the
south west monsoon, the mayor said.
The meeting will focus on the low-lying areas and suburbs that were recently annexed and area-level teams will be formed.
Progress
on the desilting will be monitored and the providing of logistical
support will be examined, such as the positioning of motor pumps on
bridges and subways, the formation of a tree removal squad and
evacuation arrangements at mid-day meal centres and community halls,
sources said.
