CHENNAI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam were involved in a debate in the Assembly on Wednesday during discussions on the Budget over the flooding in Perambur.

K. Mahendran of the CPI (M) said three vehicular subways get flooded even during normal rainfall. On two occasions, a high-level bridge was proposed at one of the sites during the previous AIADMK regime. But even preliminary work was not carried out, he charged.

This evoked a strong reaction from the AIADMK members. Deputy Leader of the Opposition O. Paneerselvam said the regime change took place when the estimates for the bridge, costing Rs.50 crore, had been prepared.

During last year's floods, 75-horse power pump sets were deployed to bale out water from the subway. Mr. Mahendran also criticised the AIADMK for failing to complete the Perambur flyover, executed during the previous DMK regime.

Airport expansion

On the Chennai airport expansion scheme, the CPI (M) member said an alternative site must be identified as 5,000 families would be affected if the scheme was implemented in its present design. He commended the DMK regime for providing an adequateoutlay for improving basic amenities and said the erstwhile AIADMK regime focussed more on creating parks.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail