Deccan Chronicle 25.09.2009

Local bodies support merger, pass resolution

Chennai
Sept. 24: With the government deciding to form new corporations by merging the local bodies adjoining Chennai corporation, the municipalities of Tiruvotti-yur, Manali and Kathivak-kam in the north are in fav-our of a merger with the city corporation. These municipalities have also passed a resolution in fav-our such a move.

Tiruvottiyur municipal chairman R. Jayaraman sa-id, “In the public hearing conducted by the CMDA in December last year, we de-manded that the governm-ent form a corporation with Tiruvottiyur as its headq-uarters or to merge us with Chennai corporation.” He said that a unanimous resolution to this effect was pa-ssed in the municipal council a few months ago. However, Manali municipality chairman R. Gnanasekar says that his local body would benefit more if it were merged with the proposed Avadi corporation.

According to former cha-irman of Alandur municipality R.S. Barathi, the new corporations would be a major boon for the suburban municipalities as it would help the government to work out comprehensive development plans. If the suburbs were integrated, construction of bridges, fl-yovers and drinking water schemes could be executed through a single local body reducing the bureaucratic procedures and constructi-on time, Mr Bharathi ad-ded.

Meanwhile, the proposal for extending the Chennai corporation limits brought mixed reactions from the public and administrators.