The Hindu                     07.04.2013

Civic body’s capital spending touches record Rs. 705 crore

Aloysius Xavier Lopez

The Chennai Corporation completed around 10,000 civic infrastructure works in 2012-2013 with a capital expenditure of Rs. 705 crore, the highest till now

The highest capital expenditure by the civic body previously was Rs. 446 crore in 2009-2010.

“This is around 60 percent higher than the previous high,” said an official.

In 2010-2011, the capital expenditure by the Corporation was Rs. 360 crore. In 2011-2012, the model code of conduct during the Assembly and local body elections put severe restrictions on capital works.

Most of the capital expenditure in 2012-2013 has been on roads. The civic body incurred capital expenditure of Rs. 350 crore on roads during the period. Development of stormwater drains required a capital expenditure of Rs. 150 crore, and equipment and vehicles for solid waste management needed around Rs. 50 crore. A capital expenditure of Rs. 20 crore has been made on buildings including classrooms and health posts.

Of the Rs. 350 crore for roads, interior roads were developed at a cost of Rs. 290 crore and Rs. 60 crore was expended on development of bus routes in the city.

The civic body has completed half of the 100 parks proposed for development last year and work on the remaining parks is under way.

The capital expenditure during 2013-2014 is expected to cross the expenditure in 2012-2013 as a number of detailed project reports have already been prepared by the civic body. The estimates for installation of 1.1 lakh LED streetlights are being prepared. The streetlights, ranging from 6 m to 9 m in height, will be installed on many roads at a cost of Rs. 300 crore this year.

The preparation of detailed project report for development of 4000 interior roads is also under way. This is expected to account for yet another chunk of capital expenditure in 2013-2014.

Two pedestrian plazas in Chepauk and T. Nagar, skywalks in Parrys and T. Nagar and cycle tracks on the marina along MRTS alignment will be other works covered under capital expenditure in 2013-2014.

The Hindu                     06.04.2013

Lifeline for Chetpet Lake

A sports fishing-cum-eco park will soon be developed in Chetpet. The State government will restore Chetpet Lake and develop tourism infrastructure in a 15-acre area in the vicinity.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Friday made a statement in the Assembly on the eco development project that will cost nearly Rs. 42 crore. The project will facilitate rejuvenation of the 9-acre waterbody, development of a restaurant with sea food, joggers’ track, walkways, a play area for children and construction of a multi-level parking lot for visitors.

The work is expected to commence in four months and the facilities will be commissioned in two years. Angling is also expected to be promoted in the lake after two years. As part of the proposal, the Fisheries Department will remove water hyacinth and desilt the lake.

The lake, located near the Kilpauk Medical College, has a beautiful island, which will be preserved. Residents of Chetpet said an active anglers’ club had been in existence till the 1940s. The Corporation Council last year adopted a resolution to construct a 1,475-metre-long stormwater drain from the lake to the Cooum at a cost of Rs.2.29 crore to carry excess water during monsoon. The drain would pass through New Bhoopathy Nagar, Pachaiappa’s College playground and Venkatachalapathy Street. The project would also prevent flooding in the Kilpauk Medical College area.

Other recreational activities, including water sports and boating, are expected to attract a large number of visitors to the park. The multi-level parking facility will be constructed on the side of Poonamallee High Road after the metrorail work is completed. The Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Finance Services has been asked to prepare a detailed project report. The water body was affected by illegal sewer connections from a nearby residential neighbourhood.