The Hindu        02.12.2011

Now, people can flood Corporation with suggestions

Staff Reporter

BEST WISHES: Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy greeting the new Commissioner of
Chennai Corporation P. W. C. Davidar, who took charge on Thursday. —
Photo: V. Ganesan

: Flood prevention measures and improving the quality of
roads and public facilities will be accorded top priority by the
Chennai Corporation, said its new Commissioner P.W.C. Davidar, who
assumed office on Thursday.

Speaking to presspersons,
he said steps would be taken to prevent flooding during the next
monsoon. “We are looking for permanent solutions. The Corporation has
done a lot of studies on water-logging. We will approach the public and
residents welfare associations and take their suggestions on what needs
to be done to prevent flooding. Residents, who have been living in the
localities for several years, would know better. The solutions might be
simple and cost-effective. We will match our studies with the
suggestions,” he said.

Towards this, the Corporation
has created an email account. The residents can send their suggestions
to stopflooding@chennaicorporation.gov.in. The suggestions could be
handed at special counters in the respective Zonal offices on or before
December 16. A form is available for the purpose at the counters.

The
suggestion on how flooding can be stopped should also be accompanied by
a simple diagram. A simple format has also been provided to enable easy
follow up. While the specific suggestions can be sent by email, any
attachment of a sketch or diagram of the solution should be made into a
PDF format for submission.

“During the rains, a lot
of people open the sewer manhole covers to let rainwater into them. If a
proper stormwater drain network is put in place, this could be avoided
and there will not be any water on the roads,” he added. In the next 10
days, patchwork would be taken on roads. “But before re-laying the
roads, we will ensure that water-logging is not there. We don’t want to
waste money re-laying the roads,” he said. Mr. Davidar said better
coordination with various government agencies, including Chennai
Metrowater, Chennai Telephones and Tamil Nadu Generation and
Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) would be achieved to ensure that the
disturbance is minimised, including road cuts, when their projects are
implemented.

On facilities in Chennai Schools, bus
stands and markets, he said that the Chennai Corporation would ensure
that platforms, roads and public conveniences are available. Earlier,
the outgoing Commissioner, D. Karthikeyan, who has since been
transferred to Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, as its managing
director, handed over charge to Mr.Davidar.

The new
Commissioner convened a meeting of the Corporation officials in the
evening and underscored the need for permanent solutions to prevent
flooding. “The Chief Minister is intent on preventing flooding in the
city,” he told the meeting, according to sources.