CHENNAI: Some 400 development works have become non-starters at Ambattur municipality over the last two years now, because of the frequent transfers of municipal commissioners, says municipal chairman K. Rukmangathan.

Projects including blacktopping of roads, a drinking water pipeline, construction of a stormwater drain and an underground drainage system, have either been left incomplete, or not started. Tenders were called for and work orders issued, but civic works have been pending because of the transfers and contractors' resistance citing increased cost of materials.

Administration hiccups

Mr. Rukmangathan said, however, that emergency works such as repairing damage to roads caused by laying of pipes under the underground drainage project in nine wards, including Ram Nagar, Venkatapuram and northern parts of Ambattur, had been planned.

Construction of stormwater drains in Mogappair and Gnanamurthy Nagar and blacktopping of six badly damaged roads in Mogappair and Anna Nagar extension, including Park Road, at a cost of Rs. 6 crore are also planned.

However, several councillors have questioned their feasibility, with only two months left before the local body elections.

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