Thoothukudi councillors oppose water tariff hike, urge road repairs at council meeting

An AIADMK Councillor making his point at the Thoothukudi Corporation Council meeting on Thursday.
| Photo Credit:
N. RAJESH

Thoothukudi Mayor Jegan Periyasamy announced that the work to widen the Puckle Canal by five metres has been initiated. The 6-km stretch of the canal, beginning from Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown, will be widened in such a way that the cement roads on both sides of the canal are not damaged.

The announcement was made at the Thoothukudi Corporation Council meeting on Thursday.

Several councillors raised concerns about several issues, including the decision to increase drinking water charges. They said that since the property tax and professional tax had been increased, the decision to increase water charge should be revoked. They urged the Corporation to control the stray dog menace in the city, causing great distress to the public.

AIADMK councillor Manthiramoorthy said cracks had been developing in the newly constructed Urban Health and Wellness Centre at Caldwell Colony. He said the facility, which was meant for the poor and underprivileged people, was showing signs of structural failure, in just 20 days after its inauguration. He urged the Corporation to take action in the matter.

The councillors called for immediate repair of storm-water drains and roads that were damaged during the underground drainage (UGD) project before the onset of monsoon. They stressed that all parts of the Corporation must be provided with proper roads and street lights.

The Mayor said the roads in Wards 15, 16, 17, 18, 49 and 50 had been damaged because of UGD work and all these roads would be restored within two months. Similarly, roads in Wards 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11 had been damaged because of a 24×7 water supply project work and these roads also would be relaid within three months. These works were part of the broader proposal to relay 964 new roads across the Corporation, he added.

He said five acres of land had been allotted to a private NGO at Tharuvaikulam dump yard to rehabilitate stray dogs. The organisation was yet to begin its operations.