The Corporation is racing against time to complete 165 welfare and development schemes that were announced in the past few years. A flurry of civic development activity is under way, yet many of the popular schemes are yet to be implemented. With tax rates unchanged and financial institutions such as the World Bank yet to clear many projects, the civic body is in a scramble to explore new funding options to implement such civic projects.
This year, there were no new announcements in the civic body’s Budget. More than Rs. 2,000 crore is expected to be spent for infrastructure development this year. Owing to huge debts to finance infrastructure projects, spending on roads, bridges, parks, stormwater drains and streetlights may reduce marginally. But civic body officials said the innovative schemes such as Amma Theatre, AMMAA markets and non-motorised transport will be implemented.
Key proposals of Chennai Corporation
AMMAA Markets
Proposal: Products at 50 per cent of the retail price. At least 1,256 products will be sold at 15 different locations in the first phase
Status: The Chennai Corporation identified six locations on Poonamallee High Road in Arumbakkam, Saligramam, Arcot Road in Valasaravakkam, Rajiv Gandhi Salai near Tidel Park, Turnbulls Road in Nandanam and Mint for setting up the markets.
- Not implemented
Residential schools for students
Proposal: Development of residential quarters on 32 Corporation school premises, in order to support poor students. With a decline in number of students, the residential schools were expected to help with student retention
Status: Facilities are ready at the Corporation school for girls in Saidapet and the school for boys on Subbarayan Street in Shenoy Nagar.
- Implemented
Amma Theatres
Proposal: Construction of cinema theatres in vacant lands of Chennai Corporation to offer affordable entertainment for the poor. Price of tickets to be in the range of Rs.10-20
Status: Consultants have been appointed for design and architecture for at least 18 Amma Theatres in six locations . The civic body will construct an Amma Theatre on Basin Bridge Road in ward 52 of Royapuram Zone. Another Amma Theatre complex has been proposed to be constructed after demolition of the old zonal office in Thiru-vi-ka Nagar Zone in ward number 73
- Not implemented
Amma Women’s Hostel
Proposal: Development of women’s hostels to offer a safe environment for working women in the city. The cost will also be affordable
Status: Not implemented
Amma Kudineer for residents
Proposal: Sale of 20-litre water cans at affordable price for all residents. The outlets will be commissioned at all zonal offices.
Status: The first meeting with suppliers was organised on Tuesday. Corporation plans to offer up to 8 lakh cans per day to residents.
Renaming of roads after Tamil scholars
Proposal: Identification of roads named after foreigners who have not made contributions to welfare and development of the nation. Renaming of such roads after Tamil scholars after State government nod
Status: Not implemented
Corporation newsletter for residents
Proposal: Publishing of newsletter for residents with information on civic development and welfare initiatives. Improvement in awareness about schemes of government
Status: Not implemented
Scholarship for students
Proposal: 100 percent scholarship for successful Corporation students who secure seats in MBBS and BE. Rs.50,000 for rank holders of SSLC and Plus Two
Status: Implemented
Night shelters
Proposal: Commissioning of night shelters for the homeless. The shelters will offer accommodation free of cost to all sections of the society
Status: Implemented
Modern vector control research unit
Proposal: Development of a research unit for mosquito control with support from agencies such as BARC. Study on reduction of vector borne diseases and improvement of public health
Status: Not implemented
Modern slaughter houses
Proposal: Commissioning of slaughter houses at eight locations to offer hygienic meat products for residents. Currently, facilities in Perambur, Saidapet and Villivakkam provide meat for the city
Status: Not implemented
Siddha, Unani, Yoga and Homeopathy facilities
Proposal: Medical facilities for Sidda, Unani, Yoga and Homeopathy. Sale of such medical products in outlets of Ripon Buildings
Status: Not implemented
Clearing of traffic bottlenecks
Proposal: Removal of old vehicles on roads, junction improvement and construction of flyovers at Usman Road, Adhithanar Salai, Pantheon Road and Dr. Rukmani Lakshmipathy Road junction; College Road, Sterling Road and Valluvar Kottam High Road Junction; Arcot Salai, Saligramam and K.K.Nagar 80 feet Road Junction; Mandaiveli Junction near Mandaiveli Bus Stand Junction; Bharathi Salai and Royapettah Clock Tower Junction; Gandhi Mandapam Salai and Ponniamman Koil Salai Junction at Kotturpuram
Status: Not implemented
Residential quarters
Proposal : Multi-storied residential quarters for corporation employees.
Status : Not implemented
Dashboard for civic services
Proposal: Comprehensive digital dashboard to manage civic issues using real-time data.
Status: The civic body initiated talks with organisations such as IBM, SAP and Oracle to put in place the digital dashboard, a single screen displaying problem areas in civic preparedness.
- Not implemented
Stormwater drains
Proposal : Development of new stormwater drains in added areas of Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Ambattur, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi and Sholinganallur.
Status: World Bank will fund the project to develop storm water drains in Ambattur and Valasaravakkam in Cooum and Adyar watersheds, covering 270 km of drains and canals. The Corporation will have to evict residents along the canals. Work is yet to begin.
- Not implemented
Streetlights
Proposa l: Commissioning of 1.1 lakh LED streetlight fittings in Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Ambattur, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi and Sholinganallur
Status : Most of the streetlight fittings have been commissioned.
- Work is under way.
Parks
Proposal : Development of green cover from 5.5 percent to 25 percent. Additional 200 parks in OSR lands. Planting of saplings and herbs in vacant lands and along waterways.
Status : Work is under way.
Roads
Proposal: Development of concrete and bitumen roads. Widening of narrow stretches including Santhome High Road, Sardar Patel Road, Paper Mills Road, Kaliamman Koil Street, Kodambakkam Road, L B Road, Nelson Manickam Road, Perambur Barracks Road and Sembium Redhills Road.
Status: Preparation of land plan schedule for widening has started. Over 770 km of roads have been completed. Work on an additional 194 bus route roads has started.
- Work is under way.
Beach beautification
Proposal : Beautification of western part of Kamarajar Salai along the Marina beach and redevelopment of Marina Loop Road. Beautification of Palavakkam, Kottivakkam and Neelangarai.
Status : Work started along the Marina. Not implemented in other stretches because of opposition from environmental activists.
Non-motorised transport
Proposal: Development of cycle tracks along Marina beach, Anna Salai and neighbouring areas with 3000 docking stations. Pedestrian plaza in T.Nagar, Mylapore and Chepauk. Pedestrian footpaths along major bus routes.
Status : Cycle sharing system and pedestrian plaza not implemented. Work on footpaths under way.
Solid waste management
Proposal : Development of waste management factories in Kuthambakkam and Minjur. Remediation and closure of Perungudi and Kodungaiyur dumpyards.
Status: Not implemented
