The Hindu 01.02.2011
Poor roads: municipality draws flak
Councillors condemn delay in works taken up during millennium celebration
points to ponder: Councillors speaking at the Municipal Council meeting in Thanjavur on Monday. Photo: M.SRINATH
Pathetic condition of roads in many wards within Thanjavur Municipal limit came up for discussion at the Municipal Council meeting here on Monday.
Rajeswaran, AIADMK councillor, said many roads have not been laid anew though they have been taken up in the project for relaying at the time of millennium celebrations of the Big Temple in September.
The government had allotted Rs 25 crore for this purpose.
In some wards, roads have been dug up and left without being re-laid.
In other instances, while one road has been selected for relaying, work has been done in another one.
He wanted to know when all the roads taken in the project be completed.
Chairperson of Thanjavur Municipality Thenmozhi Jayabal said sand was in a big demand and hence works were delayed.
Mr.Rajeswaran said price of sand has gone up and hence contractors are reluctant to execute the work.
Swaminathan, another AIADMK councillor, joined Rajeswaran and said there is no demand for sand in Cauvery delta.
Sand mining has been banned at Palar and Thamiravaruni, and not at Kollidam and Cauvery. Sand is available but the Municipality is not carrying out its work properly.
Chitra, AIADMK councillor, complained that manholes created during underground drainage work, are yet to be plugged in her ward.
Mr.Rajeswaran wanted to know whether the amount of Rs 25 crore announced by the Central Government at the time of millennium celebrations for Thanjavur has been released.
To this the chairperson said the amount was given for renovation and improvement of the Big Temple and it will be handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and not to the Municipality. Savithri Gopal said mosquito menace is haunting the people of Thanjavur.
