Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Tiruchi Corporation seeks Rs.6.50-crore relief

Staff Reporter

Proposal sent to State Government Proposal sent to State Government

TIRUCHI : The Tiruchi Corporation has sent a proposal to the State Government seeking an immediate flood relief of Rs. 6.50 crores for repairing bridges/culverts, construction of retaining walls and improving drainage facility in low-lying areas in the city.

Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, Mayor Sarubala R. Tondaiman said the State Government had called for a proposal from the Corporation, in the wake of severe damage to the roads and bridges in the city.

Providing details of the proposal sent by the civic body, she said that Rs.1.30 crores had been sought for repairing bridges and culverts, Rs.1.20 crores for constructing retaining walls and Rs. 1.25 crores for construction of storm water drains.

In reply to a question, the Mayor and the Corporation Commissioner, Harmandar Singh, who was also present, said the proposal was an approximate estimate and its detailed break-up would be released, once the Government sanctioned funds.

The Mayor, however, said a maximum of Rs. 50 lakhs had been sought for repairing the road overbridge on the Salai Road, which had been badly damaged. The narrow drainage channel at the foot of the bridge would also be widened in co-ordination with the Southern Railways, she added.

`Residents not responsive'

Both the Mayor and the Commissioner observed that several residents in low-lying areas had failed to heed the flood alert sounded by the Corporation. ``We had alerted the residents to move to the nearest shelters long before the areas were inundated, but the residents preferred to stay in-doors. However, on humanitarian grounds, we made arrangements for door-to-door delivery of drinking water and, in a few places, milk sachets'', the Commissioner said.

Encroachments at many drainage channels also impeded the free flow of water. The Mayor sought the cooperation of the public in complying with the Corporation's norms on construction of houses, especially on the banks of watercourses.

Meeting adjourned

Earlier, the regular meeting scheduled for the day was adjourned in view of the flood relief operations amidst opposition from the AIADMK councillors led by Mr. Mariam Pitchai who wanted to speak on the damage caused by the flood.

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