Chennai: Two years have passed since the launch of Chennai smart city project and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation of Urban Transformation scheme for 33 municipalities in Tamil Nadu. But both the projects are progressing at snail's pace and the results are yet to bring a visible change to Chennai.
According to the ministry of urban development sources, the Centre released funds to all the states under the Amrut scheme and for Tamil Nadu the first installment of Rs.316 crore was released last year against the total central share of Rs.1582.80 crore. The total approved size of State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) of Tamil Nadu is Rs.3834.49 crore for 2016-17.
Under the Amrut scheme, projects related to water supply sewerage and parks approved in 2016-17 should have been in shape by now. And as per the directions of Amrut scheme the state government should identify the gaps in infrastructure. But TN has been lagging in its policies like zero waste management and addressing intermodal transport issues, said an informed official in the secretariat.
"Traffic congestion has become worse as the Amrut has failed to take shape in TN despite the Centre sanctioning 20 per cent of the approved central assistance last year", said Thiru Vi Ka Nagar legislator Thayagam Kavi. The ministry of urban development issued guidelines and advisories on solid waste management, sewerage, water supply, urban transport but the state needs more impetus on the subjects and there is no remarkable progress on these subjects the state local bodies have failed to address issues like waste management and traffic congestion, he said. The authorities are talking about smart cities and Amrut schemes but sewer overflow goes unchecked in my constituency. Sanitation is another eyesore in all slaughter houses, the DMK MLA added.
However state official sources said that the project was progressing as per schedule without any delay. Even last month there was a high-level meeting by the local administration minister and the works are gaining momentum, sources said.
