“CONSULT PEOPLE :THEN FINALISE WORKS ”

TIRUCHI: With the Tiruchi Corporation poised to get some capital infusion
under various development projects of the State and Central governments over
the next one year, priorities of the civic body have come in for scrutiny
again among civic activists and welfare organisations.

*It has been common plaint of residents and welfare organisations that the
corporation hardly takes them into confidence when major development
projects are initiated.* The last serious discussion ? with stakeholders
comprising representatives of residents and service organisations was held
by the corporation when a City Development Plan was prepared a few years
back.* But nothing concrete has come out of the “vision document” till now.*

The corporation is expecting about Rs.1,000 crores under the Jawaharlal
Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) next financial year. Even 
before that materialises, it was expected to get about Rs.100 crores from
the Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Project. This apart, an integrated
solid waste management project for Tiruchi and a few other neighbouring
urban local bodies are expected to be implemented at an estimate of Rs.70
crores. The Union government assistance is also expected under another
project to establish decentralised waste water treatment plants in various
parts of the city.

Though corporation officials were preparing proposals for most of these
projects, there has not been any attempt so far towards a consultative
exercise, though the consultant appointed to oversee TURIP is expected to
meet stakeholders before finalising the works to be taken up in the city.
“It is essential that the corporation adopt a consultative approach before
finalising the development works to be taken up under major projects. It
could even be a participatory approach as there will be donors and residents
willing to contribute for development of the city,” feels N. Ramakrishnan,
civic activist and founder MGR Narpani Mandram.

A chat with a cross-section of representations of service organisations
brought forth a slew of suggestions, which they believe, should be
priorities for the corporation.
Topping the list is sanitation. Improving road /traffic infrastructure and
the drainage system come next. “Sanitation, no doubt, should be the priority
of the corporation, given the sorry state of affairs in the city,” observes
Sakunthala Srinivasan, president, Payaneetalar Iyyakkam.


Apart from
strengthening the system of garbage collection, sanitation in places of
public congregation such as the Central and Chathram Bus Stands and the city
markets needs urgent attention, she says. The city badly needs some good
toilets, with proper maintenance, adds Mr. Ramakrishnan.
The corporation should think ahead keeping in mind the requirements of
increasing population and burgeoning colonies when working out plans for
strengthening the road infrastructure, say many civic activists. It is time
the city got new ring and links roads, says G. Subramanian, president,
District Exnora.
For instance, the corporation could think of a semi-ring road to connect
Karumandapam, Srinivasa Nagar and Kuzhumani and another to link Devadhanam,
Varaganeri, Melakalkandarkottai, Ponmalaipatti, Edamalaipattipudur and
Dheeran Nagar, he says.
The banks of rivers and major drainage channels including Koraiyar,
Uyyakondan, Kudamuritti, and Rettaivaikkal could be strengthened so as to
accommodate traffic. The city’s traffic woes could be solved by providing
such alternative routes to the existing three main arterial routes of
Thillai Nagar, Woraiyur and Palakkarai in the city. 

Some others feel that the corporation should think of developing a road
between East Boulevard Road to the Chennai By-pass Road/Thanjavur Road. They
need for pedestrian sub-ways and fly-overs in places such as the highly
congested West Boulevard Road is highlighted by many residents’
organisations.

A separate bus stand for omni buses and improving the traffic
junctions in the city are other major demands.

A proposal on construction of
a fly-over along the Mainguard Gate has failed to take off. Neither has the
corporation managed to get through its plans for pedestrian sub-ways. The
Exnora has been pressing for green tracks to provide the much needed lung
space for the city, a demand supported by many other organisations. “It is
high time that the corporation turned attention towards environmental
pollution and protecting the cities resources,” says Mr.Ramakrishnan.
Another prominent compliant from residents’ organisations has been neglect
of the newly added colonies in the city suburbs. Despite the oft repeated
promise to focus on suburbs, colonies languish without proper amenities
including roads, drainages and lighting. “The newly added colonies require
urgent attention. Solid waste management is also poor in the suburbs,” says
C.Balasubramanian, secretary, District Exnora.