COIMBATORE: Civic issues such as water scarcity, inadequate maintenance and poor lighting of public spaces triggered protests by Congress and AIADMK councillors outside the CCMC council hall, drawing sharp reactions from Mayor K Ranganayaki.
AIADMK councillors R Prabhakaran and Ramesh staged a demonstration carrying kerosene lamps to highlight what they described as the corporation’s failure to address basic civic problems. They alleged that streetlights across the city were not functioning and that newly installed lights frequently developed faults.
They also flagged the poor maintenance of parks and the foul smell emanating from the Vellalore garbage dump. Prabhakaran alleged that even four months after the new TVK government assumed office, basic amenities in Coimbatore remained inadequate. He said residents continued to face difficulties despite paying substantial taxes, and criticised the corporation for failing to replace damaged streetlights.
Speaking to the reporters, he alleged that delays in releasing funds and awarding tenders had affected civic works. Since the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department functions under the chief minister’s direct control, he urged the government to ensure that the corporation received the funds required to carry out essential works.
Meanwhile, Congress councillor Gayathri, who was suspended from attending two council meetings, staged a sit-in outside the hall with photographs highlighting water scarcity following the reported drying up of the Siruvani reservoir and the problem of stray dogs.
Gayathri alleged that the mayor was not responding to her phone calls when she attempted to raise residents’ grievances. She maintained that elected representatives should be allowed to voice the concerns of people in their wards.
Ranganayaki criticised Gayathri and claimed that 80 to 90% of the works in Gayathri’s ward had already been completed, adding that the councillor herself had acknowledged this during an earlier meeting.
