Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore   

Cuddalore municipality to fix dual charges

Special Correspondent

For the underground drainage network

CUDDALORE: The Cuddalore municipality has proposed to fix dual charges for the households and commercial establishments for the proposed underground drainage facilities. The drainage is project estimated to cost Rs. 40.40 crore. The civic body has proposed to mobilise the resources as follows: Rs.10 crore through grant, Rs.15.36 crore through loans and Rs.15.04 crore from the households.

Municipal Commissioner R. Rajendran told The Hindu that the Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board would implement the project, but the memorandum of understanding was yet to be signed.

The bylaws were under preparation, and meanwhile, the civic body had tentatively fixed the deposit amount and the monthly charges. The rates were fixed on the basis of the utility as follows:

Households - up to 500 sq. ft - monthly charges Rs.70, deposit Rs.5,000; from 500 sq. ft to 1,200 sq. ft - Rs.80 and Rs.7,000; from 1,200 sq. ft to 2,400 sq. ft - Rs.90 and Rs.9,000; above 2,400 sq. ft - Rs.100 and Rs.12,000; and for, special categories - Rs.120 and Rs.15,000.

The corresponding rates for the commercial establishments are as follows: up to 500 sq. ft - Rs.140 and Rs.10,000; from 500 to 1,200 sq. ft - Rs.240 and Rs.21,000; from 1,200 sq. ft to 2,400 sq .ft - Rs.270 and Rs.27,000; above 2,400 sq.ft - Rs.500 and Rs.60,000; and for the special categories - Rs.1,200 and Rs.1.50 lakh.

Revision likely

However, Mr. Rajendran said the revenue structure would be placed before the municipal council for discussion and there was a likelihood of it getting revised.

The work on the first phase of the project, to be implemented in 33 of the 45 wards, had already commenced and it would be completed by December 2008. Mr. Rajendran said that of the remaining 12 wards, five were in the coastal areas. Since, there were not many residences on the seashore, these wards would be excluded from the project.

In the second phase, estimated to cost another Rs.12.5 crore, seven uncovered wards would benefit. During the laying of underground pipeline other civic works in the 33 designated wards would have to be put on hold.

Hence, there was a proposal to divert the unutilised funds to other wards for improving the basic amenities such as roads and sewage.

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