Chennai: Three months ago, Chennai made headlines as it was flood hit and there were instant political reactions and response in the form of clearing of encroachments in a few water bodies and for some stretches along Adyar river in Kancheepuram district. Now with the government beginning election work, the disaster management policy for the city may be neglected, it is pointed out.
“Encroachments and illegal buildings will now stay for at least the next three months without any action as the state machinery gets into poll mood. Police and civic officials are now working in tandem to attend public issues at micro level”, said a city corporation official. At present, local bodies have been assigned two major tasks, first to collect pending property / professional tax and second to gear up for the May 16 polls. Besides, the civic body will be executing its regular maintenance works like waste management, maintenance of roads, parks, streetlights and burial grounds.
“Though the Kancheepuram collectorate cleared more than 600 encroachments along Adyar river, encroachments in Chennai along Cooum will be attended only after polls. Issues that will affect voters will be put on hold in greater Chennai,” said a highly placed Secretariat official pointing out that no major project or any slum clearance project will be enforced till a new government is formed. The situation will be similar in neighbouring Tiruvallur district, he said.
In fact, on Tuesday DC found a section of police personnel collecting reports on civic and social issues in every ward that may reflect in the ensuing polls. “Starting from stray dogs to mosquito menace every minute detail that affects each corporation ward is collected and issues related to inter-political party rivalry is also collected”, said police personnel. “The corporation and metro water engineers have now been asked to coordinate and the top brass have been instructed to attend all public complaints the same day and ensure that there are no civic grievances till May”, said a metro water engineer in Tiruvottiyur.
“The officers fail to take action against illegal buildings citing election work. There is no field inspection by corporation engineers on new constructions and encroachments”, alleged civic activist T. Solomon. “I have already impleaded my self in a petition before the Madras HC on illegal buildings in Central Chennai and if authorities fail to inspect the illegalities, I will file a contempt petition against the field engineers”, he said.
