Chennai: Lack of funds hits Rs 3,000 crore projects

Chennai: Shortage of funds in TN local bodies has come as a cropper stalling major infrastructure proposals across the state. Projects worth more than Rs 3,000 crore starting from flyovers, subways, integrated drinking water projects and new stormwater drains in Chennai and other parts of the state are pending for the past three years and some of the projects are all set to be shelved, confirmed confidential sources with secretariat.

In Chennai, the city corporation has already stalled proposals like construction of new flyovers at Valluvar Kottam, Chetpet, Mandaveli, Egmore and commissioning of Amma theatre and Amma weekly markets, which were earlier announced in corporation council. The extension of Usman Road flyover in T Nagar and construction of multi storey parking lots also remains a non-starter. “There are no signs of major projects coming to TN and the Japan consortium which earlier assured funding for stormwater drains and other civic infrastructure projects had also expressed lack of funds for the new projects. Further central funds under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission allotted for local bodies and state transport corporations are also not encouraging”, a state official rued.

Further all is not well with the local administration ministry in the wake of TN governor Purohit Banwarilal conducting a review meeting asking for details related to local administration works executed in Coimbatore and adjoining districts. The review meeting has triggered tension among the babus and the contractors associated with local administration, secretariat sources said. Efforts to contact local administration secretary Harmandar Singh for his response proved futile. “Chennai has been choking from traffic particularly after the metro rail work was started. Earlier local bodies would take up flyover constructions but no new bridge work had been taken up in Chennai since 2014,” said former city corporation floor leader Sukumar Babu.