Chennai, 5 October (IANS) In a rare step to strengthen flood rescue before the northeast monsoon, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has increased permission for road-cut functions by 15 October, which is beyond a month to one month from the normal September time limit.
Civic Body says the extension will help in fulfilling the important storwater and pipeline upgrade, but the decision has triggered anxiety between the residents concerned about incomplete roads and open trenches that are turning into floods and accident dangers.
Traditionally, all excavations are stopped by mid -September to allow road restoration before rain. This year, however, the GCC has created an exception to rapidly track the projects running by its engineering teams and other agencies, including Chennai Metrowatters.
Objectives, officials say, reduce waterlogging after the monsoon set and ensure smooth traffic.
According to the corporation’s data, Stormwater drains are being connected at 92 places in 15 areas of the city.
Metrovatters are also replacing old pipelines under the Northern Chennai Development Scheme.
“The work must be completed by October 15. After that, only by the end of the monsoon will be allowed to cut emergency roads,” Mayor R. Priya said.
He said that about 75 percent of the roads are over again on the road and “Flood mitigation is in full swing, with motor pumps on the standby and the ponds ready to keep excess rainwater have been restored”.
The Mayor also inspected the flood-ritual works including Ganeshpuram flyover and near the subway.
The Ganeshpuram subway closed for about 18 months will open to the public on 10 October, while the flyover itself has been slated to complete in January.
Despite the assurance, the Sangh of the neighborhood is unrelated.
Chennai said, “They dig the road and leave it half. Once the work is over, the appropriate relay never happens. Instead of expanding the deadline, the civic body should be finished first so that we can build safe, level roads before the rain.”
Others warned that the initial arrival of the monsoon could be dangerous.
“During intense rains, open pits make the roads slippery and unsafe. The intention is good, but the deadline should be honored. No new excavation must be done now,” Tansi Nagar RWA K. M. Balakrishnan said.
Officials said all open pits would be closed before the rain, but the residents say that it is important to complete the pits on time to avoid another season.
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Aal/svn