Councillors express dismay over delay in completion of UGD works in Tirunelveli

The Hindu

30-06-2025

A section of Corporation Councillors from the ruling DMK on Monday expressed displeasure over the underground drainage works progressing at a snail's pace in their wards and the problems encountered by residents due to roads dug up for the project.
DMK councillor (ward 51) D. Sahaya Juliet Mary said the UGD work was moving at a snail's place and, hence, the roads damaged due to the work could not be relaid. 'The Corporation officials should frequently inspect the ongoing UGD works in all wards to ascertain their progress and the sufferings of the residents. We need to complete the work at the earliest so that the roads damaged in the execution of the project can be relaid.'
Superintending Engineer Kannan said the UGD scheme had to be implemented for about 84 km in the third phase and, hence, was taking much time.
Councillor (ward 24) A. Ravindar and S. Petchiammal (ward 35), both from the DMK, also criticised the Corporation administration and the contract firm implementing the work for the delay.
Ms. Sahaya Juliet also wanted the officials to give drinking water connection to all houses in peripheral areas under the Ariyanayagipuram Drinking Water Scheme.
'We have planned to give drinking water connection to 33,330 houses under the scheme and so far covered 24,500 houses. Hence, all the houses will get drinking water connection,' Mr. Kannan said.
When AIADMK councillor (ward 31) S. Amutha urged the Corporation to start relaying of roads damaged during the UGD works and execute the work at the earliest with superior quality, Mayor G. Ramakrishnan, who intervened during his speech, said there was no misappropriation of Corporation funds in executing the works.
When Mr. Ramakrishnan said it was their leader (late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa) who was convicted in a corruption case, Ms. Amutha opposed it vehemently. When another AIADMK councillor (ward 28), M. Chandrasekar also joined Ms. Amutha, the meeting witnessed noisy scenes with DMK councillors S. Ulaganathan (ward 27), A. Ravindar (ward 24) and A. Shaikh Manzoor (ward 20) shouting that her leader was a convict in a corruption case.
With pandemonium continuing for a few minutes, Ms. Amutha and Mr. Chandrasekar staged a walkout.
When the councillors alleged that the contractors implementing various works in the urban civic body were showed total disregard for their works and implementing them slowly, Commissioner Monika Rana, who was participating in her maiden council meeting after assuming office here on June 25, said she would soon convene a meeting with the contractors to explain the projects they were executing, the start of the works and the progress made so far. 'We will take necessary action to expedite the work for ensuring early completion.'
When Chairman of Palayamkottai Zone M. Francis urged the officials to start work on Murappanadu Drinking Water Project at the earliest for improving drinking water supply to the residents in peripheral areas, the SE replied that the administrative sanction for the scheme would be obtained within 10 days.
CPI (M) councillor (ward 55) R. Muthu Subramanian pointed to the erratic drinking water supply in his ward caused by the broken-down motor in Suththamalli pumping station and urged the Corporation to keep a spare motor for ensuring unhindered drinking water supply, which was accepted by the Mayor.