Latest news with #UndergroundDrainage
The Hindu
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chaos marks Madurai Corporation council meeting
It was a free-for-all during the first 10 to 15 minutes of the council meeting at Madurai Corporation on Tuesday. Soon after Mayor Indrani Pon Vasanth began the session by reading out a Thirukkural couplet—a customary practice before council proceedings — AIADMK members, led by their floor leader Solai Raja, rose from their seats and shouted slogans demanding her resignation. Dressed in black shirts and sarees as a sign of protest, the AIADMK councillors alleged that the public was outraged by a 'mega scam' (related to property tax computation and collection) allegedly orchestrated by the ruling DMK. They claimed that the Mayor had no moral right to continue in office, as her personal assistant was implicated in the scandal. Rejecting the allegations as baseless, Ms. Indrani instructed the police to remove the protesting AIADMK councillors from the hall and urged DMK members to remain calm. A brief commotion ensued, and after police intervention the AIADMK councillors walked out, raising slogans. Mayor responds strongly Responding to the allegations, the Mayor explained the matter — the alleged property tax scam — was already before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, and a senior police officer of DIG rank was conducting the investigation. She contended it would be inappropriate to discuss the issue during the council meeting. She further pointed out Chief Minister M. K. Stalin had already directed all five zonal chairpersons and two standing committee members involved to step down. She urged the AIADMK to refrain from creating disturbances. Escalating the counterattack, the Mayor questioned the AIADMK's moral standing, citing the case of several crores of rupees allegedly missing from the house of former minister Sellur K. Raju. She also referred to allegations of fund misappropriation during the AIADMK regime in projects such as the Smart City and Underground Drainage (UGD) schemes, demanding an investigation into those cases as well. DMK-CPI (M) clash Soon after calm appeared to return, the meeting again descended into chaos — this time over remarks made by DMK councillor Jayaraman about Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan. Mr. Jayaraman criticised the MP for his recent comments that Madurai city was unclean and that the Chief Minister should intervene. He said such public criticism was uncalled for, especially after the DMK had supported the MP's Lok Sabha candidacy twice. His remarks led to a verbal clash with Deputy Mayor T. Nagarajan of CPI(M) and two CPI(M) councillors. The Deputy Mayor defended the MP, saying it was due to his efforts that the Union Government had sanctioned funds for Madurai. Mr. Jayaraman retorted that as an ally, the MP should not publicly criticise the DMK dispensation. The CPI(M) councillors, in turn, told the DMK member to moderate his tone, especially with Assembly elections approaching. This triggered another round of shouting before order was restored after appeals from both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Background In 2024, then Madurai Corporation Commissioner Dinesh Kumar had filed a complaint with Madurai City Police alleging irregularities in property tax collection. After about seven months, police registered a case and arrested several officials including a retired Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) and Bill Collectors. An AIADMK councillor subsequently filed a writ petition in the High Court, which directed the police to form a special panel and submit a report.
New Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Underground Drainage works in KVV, Thudiyalur to be completed by September 2026
COIMBATORE: The long-pending Underground Drainage (UGD) project in added areas of Kavundampalayam, Vadavalli, Veerakeralam, and Thudiyalur (collectively referred to as KVV and Thudiyalur) has reached 42% completion, officials from the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board said. The project, which has been progressing at a snail's pace, is now expected to be complete by September 2026. Launched on May 8, 2023, the Rs 935.92-crore project was inaugurated by Municipal Administration, Urban and Water Supply Minister KN Nehru and former Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji. Initially estimated at Rs 860.80 crore, the project cost was later revised to the current figure. Of the total cost, Rs 774.72 crore is being funded through loans and grants, while Rs 96.08 crore is contributed by the local body. Sources said that the scheme implemented by the TWAD Board on behalf of the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC), is designed to serve 12 full wards and parts of two other wards. Based on the 2011 census, these areas have a population of over 2.05 lakh. The sewage generation is projected to be 28.29 million litres per day (MLD) at present, possibly rising to 49.18 MLD in the future. Despite the project's importance, progress has been sluggish. Residents and daily commuters have been grappling with dug-up roads, traffic diversions, and dust pollution due to the ongoing works. Many have expressed frustration over the inconvenience caused. When contacted, a senior TWAD Board official acknowledged the initial delays but assured that the project is now on track. "The work is being carried out in full swing now. Although we faced a few hurdles in the middle, all issues have been sorted out and work is being expedited," the official told TNIE. Presently, 40% of total project funds have been utilised. With over a year remaining for the targeted completion date, officials are hopeful of meeting the deadline, promising significant improvement in sewage infrastructure for these fast-growing suburbs of the city.
