The ruling AIADMK and DMK on Monday engaged in lively debates questioning and blaming each other for the slow pace of number of infrastructural projects envisaged for the Chennai city, including the Chennai Metro Rail, stormwater drains and the Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Corridor.
During the debate on the Governor’s address, former Chennai Mayor and DMK MLA M. Subramanian said that as per the original plan, the Phase I of the Metro should have been completed by 2015. However, the Governor’s address has it that it would be over only by 2017-end, he said, adding that the project was delayed due to the lethargy of the AIADMK government.In response, Electricity Minister P. Thangamani charged that it was the DMK government that had delayed the project. Despite the Cabinet clearing it in 2007, the sanction was obtained in 2009 and the MoU was signed only in 2011. It was the AIADMK government that had prepared the project report in 2005, he said. Countering, Mr. Subramanian asked if the AIADMK government had conceived the project in 2003 why was it not taken up till 2006. Both left the issue at that.
Mr. Subramanian said the severity of the Chennai floods could have been less if the AIADMK government had completed the stormwater drain work taken by the previous DMK government at a cost of Rs. 1,848 crore.
Earlier, DMK member and former Minister K. Ponmudi wanted to know from the Highways Minister what happened to the Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Corridor. In reply, Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said that as per the agreement between the PWD and NHAI, the corridor should come up along the banks of Cooum river. However, the company (that took up the project) began work on the river itself.
Noticing it, the Chief Engineer issued a notice. The case went to the Madras High Court and then to the Supreme Court which asked for the formation of a committee. The government has constituted a committee and the company is yet to respond, he said.
AIADMK and DMK members spar over Metro Rail, stormwater drains and elevated corridor
