CHENNAI: Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner GS Sameeran on Saturday reviewed several ongoing and proposed development projects across the city. He instructed the officials to expedite and complete all ongoing projects, particularly stormwater drain works, by the end of September, ahead of the northeast monsoon.
As part of monsoon preparedness, Sameeran directed officials to keep high-capacity motor pumps, rainwater collection tanks and dewatering equipment ready. Relief centres and kitchens should also be kept prepared, while desilting of stormwater drains and silt catch pits, canal improvement works, and pruning of dangerous tree branches should be intensified.
During the meeting at Ripon Building, Sameeran reviewed projects including construction of stormwater drains and desilting of silt catch pits and canals, along with other developmental projects including integrated sports complexes, play turfs, training playgrounds for kabaddi, basketball and cricket, construction of libraries, urban primary health centres, dialysis centres, community halls, markets, footpaths, modern bus shelters, resting rooms for gig workers, upgradation of Chennai schools, gym, increase green cover through tree planting, develop ponds and construct housing units through the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board. The projects to be taken up in the Perambur assembly constituency were also reviewed.
The commissioner sought details of projects under execution, those yet to commence, works at the detailed project report stage and projects under tender or contract. The officials were directed to complete ongoing works at the earliest and commence pending projects without delay. They were also instructed to monitor unauthorised constructions and the use of residential buildings for non-residential purposes.
Later, Sameeran inspected stormwater drain projects at Semmencherry and Madhavaram costing a total of Rs 207.76 crore. At Semmencherry, a 4,235 metre drain from the Arasan Kazhani Canal to the Buckingham Canal is being constructed at Rs 184.88 crore with KfW funding. At Madhavaram, a 1,450 metre integrated stormwater drain replacing the old drain is being built along the Madhavaram - Red Hills highway at Rs 22.88 crore.
Sholinganallur MLA ECR P Saravanan and the commissioner inaugurated the new modern changing rooms and toilets at Neelankarai beach and inspected the cleanliness measures along the beach areas.