Latest news with #MKarthikeyan
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Over 900 city roads remain pending since 2021, Infra News, ETInfra
Advt Advt On paper, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has spent 1,692 crore on laying and re-laying about 15,100 roads in the city since 2021. So, the city ought to be looking pretty with road-users whizzing around on good motorable roads, right? But, that is not to be. Despite spending a fortune on the roads, the commuters, particularly those in areas added to the city and North Chennai neighbourhoods, get no respite from potholes and battered than 900 roads have not been re-laid at all since 2021. Another 400-plus stretches were removed from re-laying plans during the past five years due to underground works by Metrowater. For the record, of the 18,895 roads in the city, work was completed on 15,107. A total of 2,221 crore was allocated for road projects under NSMT, TURIF, and capital fund from GCC since 2021, and road projects worth 1,692 crore have been grievances galore. Year after year, only the core city areas were given priority, at the cost of the newly added areas as well as large pockets of North Chennai. Several interior roads have been completely neglected and are yet to be sanctioned, despite multiple complaints to GCC. The extended areas suffer the most, with many roads still unpaved despite being added to the GCC limits. In case of complaints, the GCC blames Metrowater or Metrorail for the poor road conditions."The roads were laid soon after the Assembly elections in 2021 but were immediately dug up by Tangedco for underground cable work. After that was finished, we expected the roads to be re-laid. Instead, the Metrowater carried out further road cuts for the drainage system. Although that work was completed last year, the GCC has still not re-laid the interior roads. When we enquired with the authorities, they said the delay of more than a year is due to funds not yet being allocated," said M Karthikeyan of Kottivakkam, where roads were re-laid a decade after being added to the GCC limits."Only about 30% of the allocated funds are used for road re-laying, while the rest is lost to corruption. There should be a road safety audit for GCC roads, like what exists for the state highways. It would help address recurring issues with poor road quality," said G Uma Devi, retired professor of civil engineering at Anna University."The govt has allocated 400 crore for re-laying roads under NSMT and TURIF, and 86 crore has been provided from GCC capital fund. The work is expected to be completed across the city by the end of Aug," said GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran."To avoid digging up newly re-laid roads, and since the Metrowater did not hand over some roads after completing their work, we had to drop 425 roads until the 2024-25 financial year," he said. Until Metrowater gives a no objection certificate, these roads will not be re-laid. Chennai mayor R Priya told TOI, "A large number of damaged roads have been identified and re-laid in 2023. At least 6,133 roads were re-laid, especially after Cyclone Michaung. As per the TUFIDCO inspection, many roads do not require re-laying. We have ensured that additional roads have been laid across the city since 2021."Residents and activists, however, complain about the authorities' failure to act during the summer months. The ideal period for re-laying roads in the city is between April and July. However, unlike previous years, Chennai witnessed an early onset of summer this year. The GCC did not re-lay roads during this peak season and instead commenced work only earlier this month, citing administrative delays.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Over 900 city roads not laid since 2021
Chennai: On paper, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has spent 1,692 crore on laying and re-laying about 15,100 roads in the city since 2021. So, the city ought to be looking pretty with road-users whizzing around on good motorable roads, right? But, that is not to be. Despite spending a fortune on the roads, the commuters, particularly those in areas added to the city and North Chennai neighbourhoods, get no respite from potholes and battered roads. More than 900 roads have not been re-laid at all since 2021. Another 400-plus stretches were removed from re-laying plans during the past five years due to underground works by Metrowater. For the record, of the 18,895 roads in the city, work was completed on 15,107. A total of 2,221 crore was allocated for road projects under NSMT, TURIF, and capital fund from GCC since 2021, and road projects worth 1,692 crore have been completed. Yet, grievances galore. Year after year, only the core city areas were given priority, at the cost of the newly added areas as well as large pockets of North Chennai. Several interior roads have been completely neglected and are yet to be sanctioned, despite multiple complaints to GCC. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo The extended areas suffer the most, with many roads still unpaved despite being added to the GCC limits. In case of complaints, the GCC blames Metrowater or Metrorail for the poor road conditions. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "The roads were laid soon after the Assembly elections in 2021 but were immediately dug up by Tangedco for underground cable work. After that was finished, we expected the roads to be re-laid. Instead, the Metrowater carried out further road cuts for the drainage system. Although that work was completed last year, the GCC has still not re-laid the interior roads. When we enquired with the authorities, they said the delay of more than a year is due to funds not yet being allocated," said M Karthikeyan of Kottivakkam, where roads were re-laid a decade after being added to the GCC limits. "Only about 30% of the allocated funds are used for road re-laying, while the rest is lost to corruption. There should be a road safety audit for GCC roads, like what exists for the state highways. It would help address recurring issues with poor road quality," said G Uma Devi, retired professor of civil engineering at Anna University. "The govt has allocated 400 crore for re-laying roads under NSMT and TURIF, and 86 crore has been provided from GCC capital fund. The work is expected to be completed across the city by the end of Aug," said GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran. "To avoid digging up newly re-laid roads, and since the Metrowater did not hand over some roads after completing their work, we had to drop 425 roads until the 2024-25 financial year," he said. Until Metrowater gives a no objection certificate, these roads will not be re-laid. Chennai mayor R Priya told TOI, "A large number of damaged roads have been identified and re-laid in 2023. At least 6,133 roads were re-laid, especially after Cyclone Michaung. As per the TUFIDCO inspection, many roads do not require re-laying. We have ensured that additional roads have been laid across the city since 2021." Residents and activists, however, complain about the authorities' failure to act during the summer months. The ideal period for re-laying roads in the city is between April and July. However, unlike previous years, Chennai witnessed an early onset of summer this year. The GCC did not re-lay roads during this peak season and instead commenced work only earlier this month, citing administrative delays.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Coimbatore Book Festival from July 18 to 27
Coimbatore: The 9th edition of the Coimbatore Book Festival (CBF) will be held from July 18 to 27 at the CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex. Organised by the Coimbatore district administration, school education department, and CODISSIA, the 10-day event will feature over 170 exhibitors across 320 stalls. It will bring together publishers, writers, students, and book lovers from across the country. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, CODISSIA president M Karthikeyan said, "CBF 2025 is more than an exhibition, it's a cultural movement to ignite the love for literature in young minds. States including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Delhi will participate." M Rajesh, chairman, CBF 2025, said the festival aims to promote reading habit among children while supporting publishers affected by the digital shift. "A free shuttle service will be operated between the venue and Avinashi Road (near Jenneys Residency)," he said. Entry is free for all, with online and on-the-spot registration options available. The fair will be open from 10am to 8pm.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Expand Neelambur bypass in Coimbatore into six-lane expressway: Codissia
Coimbatore: The Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (Codissia) has urged the Union road transport and highways ministry to expand the two-lane Neelambur bypass into a six-lane expressway with service roads. The association has also sought construction of flyovers at key intersections, to enhance road safety and connectivity. In a letter to Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari, Codissia president M Karthikeyan highlighted that Coimbatore had contributed Rs2 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu's gross state domestic product last year and that one of India's first projects under the build-operate-transfer model was implemented in the district - a 27km stretch between Neelambur and Madukkarai that provides vital access to Kerala from various parts of the country. "While both ends of the bypass road are six-lane expressways, the central 27km stretch abruptly narrows into a two-lane road. This segment is riddled with blackspots and is highly dangerous, with frequent accidents and loss of lives," he said. Now that the National Highways Authority of India has taken over the project from L&T after a prolonged effort, the Union transport and highways ministry should take steps to upgrade this two-lane stretch into a six-lane expressway with service roads, he said. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Undo "Once completed, this will become a model road in Coimbatore, improving access to the new airport terminal, container corporation, railway goods shed, industrial parks, educational institutions, hospitals, IT parks, shopping malls, entertainment centres, residential areas and more," Karthikeyan said. He then appealed the Union minister to implement the project at the earliest, stating it would be a major relief not only for the people of Coimbatore but also for commuters from Kerala traveling to Bengaluru, Chennai and other regions.
