Trichy corpn to build drains at Rs32.5 crore; seeks Rs12 crore from govt to relay roads

Trichy: Trichy corporation has sought Rs12 crore from the state govt to relay roads damaged for the underground drainage (UGD) project. With the recent heavy rain worsening the motorable condition of key roads, mayor Mu Anbalagan informed the council meeting on Friday that patchwork will also be taken up. A sum of Rs 32.5 crore will be allocated to develop new stormwater drains in all five zones here. Between Oct 1 and 25, Trichy received about 204mm of rainfall, 79% higher than what is normally received. Though the timely desilting of major drains and channels has helped the city overcome prolonged inundation, roads that were dug for UGD phase II and III have gone from bad to worse. Recently relaid roads including Major Saravanan road, EVR road, Pattabiraman road, Thennur high road, and West Boulevard road near Gandhi market have suffered damages. "Roads in Puthur and Cantonment were heavily damaged in the recent rain. Repair work should be initiated soon since the present condition of roads affects vehicular movement," K Suresh, councillor of ward 23 said. Similar demands were raised by other councillors including P Govindarajan (ward 41) who complained of bad roads affecting connectivity in peripheral wards in Thiruverumbur. The mayor said funds have been sought under Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Fund (TURIF). "Since continuous rain lashes once in 2-3 days, patchwork is being delayed. Roads damaged for UGD projects will be restored soon," the mayor said.As the trial run of the 24X7 drinking water scheme is also progressing in Thillai Nagar and other areas chosen for the pilot project, repair work involving digging of roads might be taken up. Hence the local body said that new roads will be laid once such repair works are done. The mayor said that they would soon float a tender to recruit 150 workers for cleaning stormwater drains. This follows criticism over the shortage of sanitary workers. "Each ward will be sanctioned Rs 50 lakh to construct new drains, and councillors should identify deserving areas in their wards," the mayor added. The council was also informed that pumping stations to prevent inundation will be developed in eight low-lying areas including Thanjavur road, Cantonment and Ramalinga Nagar.New roads and drains for Trichy city:Cost of new roads: Rs 12 crore | Cost of new drains: Rs 32.5 crore | Coverage: 65 wardsAffected areas:KK Nagar | Thiruverumbur | Thillai Nagar | Cantonment | Thennur.Key resolutions and discussions in the council meeting:1. Demand for public toilets and urinals in Uthira streets, Srirangam.2. PWD must reduce water discharge into Uyyakondan canal.3. New storm water drains on Thillai Nagar main road for a length of 2 km.4. Hire robotic arm-powered truck to clean UGD manholes.5. Name IBT in Panjapur after former CM M Karunanidhi.Rainfall in Trichy between Oct 1 and 25:Actual rainfallNormal rainfallDeparture204.6 mm114 mm+79 %Source: IMD