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Residents claim foul play in storm water drain project

Tuesday, 21 August 2012 06:03 administrator
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The Times of India   21.08.2012

Residents claim foul play in storm water drain project

CHENNAI: The huge sums of money allocated for repairing storm water drains in the city, it appears, are literally going down the drain. Many contractors are simply repairing existing drains instead of building new ones and streets continue to be flooded, sources say.

A contractor meant to build a storm water drain after demolishing the existing one at an estimated cost of 45.76 lakh in Secretariat Colony near Kilpauk just repaired the existing drain, sources say.

Residents say the haphazard repairs are causing a big problem. Says R Govindarajan of Secretariat Colony: "If they don't construct the drains as per the project approved and sanctioned under the JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) it will be a waste of taxpayers' money. According to the project, the contractor should demolish and construct the storm water drain. Here, this is being violated."

A sudden spell of rain is enough to flood the entire area. "During two successive spells of heavy rain on August 21, 22 and August 24, 25 last year, all streets in the colony were flooded and houses were inundated," says Govindarajan.

M G Devasahayam, social activist and former civil servant, alleges a huge scam in the project. "The civic body has failed to monitor the works. There should be a detailed inquiry," he adds. When contacted, a senior corporation official said: "We are working hard to complete most of the drains before the monsoon. We will look into the allegations and take necessary action."

Experts say that if contractors don't build new drains, silt will be deposited and cause flooding. "Most contractors are using only 30% of the money allocated for the storm water drains," said a city-based expert. The contractors, it is alleged, simply plaster the wallsas part of the repairs. "Huge damage has been done to walls of the drain, but they just applied a coat of plaster," says a resident. Others claim the storm water drains are being converted into sewerage lines that becomes breeding grounds for mosquitoes.