Mayor S.M. Velusamy has invited civil society
organisations to partner the Coimbatore Corporation in developing the
city. He made the appeal on Monday while participating at the function
the Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore (RAAC) had organised
to release the Coimbatore Information Directory.

“Your
suggestions are welcome. Let this function not be a one-off affair. The
civil society organisations and the Corporation should meet at least
every two months so that the civic body had diverse opinion and rich
options to choose from in making decisions.”

Detailing
the improvements made in the last year or so, he said that the pace of
work in storm water drain and underground drainage had improved ever
since the new Council led by the AIADMK assumed office. As per the Chief
Minister Jayalalithaa’s guidelines and support, the Corporation was in
the process of laying 200 km roads at Rs. 85 crore. The roads had been
in a bad shape ever since the underground drainage work was taken up. He
promised to take up desilting work in the eight tanks that were under
the Corporation Control. Commissioner T.K. Ponnusamy said that the
opinions or suggestions put forward by residents’ associations were
welcome. He renewed his appeal in identifying reserve sites.

“If
there are reserve sites or sites meant for public utility, please
inform the Corporation, which will develop it into a playground or
park.”

The office bearers of RAAC led by president
C.R. Swaminathan and Honorary Secretary R. Raveendran appealed to the
Corporation to take up mono rail proposal for the city. RAAC
vice-president C. Raviselvan was also present.