Madurai councillors allege shoddy work

As soon as the meeting began, Saalai Muthu, Chairman, Zone 4 of Madurai Corporation, claimed that raw bricks instead of burnt bricks were used in the construction of drainage channels and owing to it damage had been reported in several wards in his zone. 

Even if a complaint was made the Assistant Engineers (AEs) of Madurai Corporation did not take action and the people who faced problems took temporary measures. In several areas the drainage pipes had broken and the sewage water had mixed with drinking water, causing great hardship to the residents, claimed Saalai Muthu. He also asked the city engineer why ash and concrete material should not be used to seal the leakage of drainage and improve the strength. 

City Engineer A Madhuram claimed that concrete could be used in future work but only on the exterior. Saalai Muthu was followed by Kannagi Baskar, Chairman, Standing Committee of Madurai Corporation, who claimed that in many areas where the UGD work had been completed the houses were not connected with UGD and before the connecting roads were laid. Officials replied that the roads would be dug and the connection with UGD would be made. 

Five parks to be renovated:  All the resolutions placed before the council were passed. In one of the resolutions it was mentioned that five parks in the Madurai Corporation would be renovated at a cost of Rs 2.76 crore.  Suriya Nagar park, Anna Nagar park, Environmental park, Joseph park and TVS Nagar park are the five parks to be renovated under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme in the first phase. The remaining 197 parks would also be renovated in a phased manner.