The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Budget allocation for Chennai infrastructure development

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 04, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Budget allocation for Chennai infrastructure development

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, MARCH 3. The city's infrastructure will be augmented at a cost of Rs. 2054.09 crores in 2005-2006 under the ongoing Chennai Metropolitan Area Development Plan.

The Finance Minister, C. Ponnaiyan, who presented the budget proposals in the Assembly today, said that the Government was examining the feasibility of different modes of public transportation, including mass transportation, in view of the rapidly growing traffic in the city.

The Government has sanctioned Rs. 369.97 crores for essential improvements to the road network in the city and its outskirts this year, said Mr. Ponnaiyan.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in association with Rail India Technical and Economic Services has prepared a detailed feasibility report on developing Metro Rail in Chennai. The Minister said a detailed report to implement a Rs. 5086.85-crore project for a Metro Rail system would follow.

Funds worth Rs. 200 crores from the Infrastructure Development Fund have been allotted to the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority as seed money for the Metro Rail in Chennai, he said.

Under the proposed Tamil Nadu Urban Development Project III, the Government plans a special component of Rs. 540 crores to improve traffic and transportation services in the city with assistance from the World Bank.

Parks, playgrounds, pavements, central medians, sanitation, cleanliness, garbage disposal, waterways and traffic management will be the focus of the "Chennai Forever Initiative" announced recently by the Chief Minister, he said.

The Government will set up a forum to discuss improvements in these services with citizens and move forward with people's participation.

Desalination project

Tenders for a desalination project to supply water to the city are being evaluated and a decision will be taken shortly, said Mr. Ponnaiyan.

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