The Hindu : Front Page : Fresh plea for Coimbatore development authority

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 13, 2007
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Fresh plea for Coimbatore development authority

Special Correspondent

COIMBATORE: Coimbatore’s pending demand for a development authority for the city was placed before Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin here on Monday at the launch of an underground drainage scheme by the Coimbatore Corporation.

Minister for Rural Industries Pongalur N. Palanisamy highlighted the development vision for the city while appealing to Mr. Stalin for the setting up of an authority on the lines of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. Mr. Palanisamy’s appeal reflected a growing need felt by the entire city, especially by voluntary organisations such as the Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore and Kural.

The demand had come up as soon as the Corporation began drawing up infrastructure schemes under the ambitious Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Mr. Palanisamy recalled how about 10 flyovers constructed in Chennai when Mr. Stalin was Mayor had helped decongest roads.

In contrast, he pointed out how two flyovers took eight years to complete in Coimbatore because of the lack of effective follow-up. “The infrastructure mission is a boon for a Corporation whose annual earnings is Rs.175 crore. Only about Rs. 50 crore is left after expenses. With such meagre funds it cannot even think of major schemes for 30 years,” the Minister said.

Some years ago a proposal for an exclusive city development authority was drawn up. But no progress was made.

Mr. Palanisamy drew Mr. Stalin’s attention to the emerging suburbs. “But it is very difficult to enter the city now because of the poor infrastructure. We need to plan well for the future and this is why we need a Coimbatore development authority. We have been asking for it for a long time.” Responding to this appeal and those made by others for city development, Mr. Stalin said Coimbatore city’s requirements would be brought to the notice of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

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