District Surveillance Officer Apoorva said here on Sunday that the top priority would now be given to drainage of rain water from low-lying areas and temporary restoration of badly damaged roads and debris filling.
Ms. Apoorva along with Collector V. Vishnu, Corporation Commissioner Vishnu Chandran and other officials inspected several affected areas in and around the city.
Talking to reporters, Ms. Apoorva said that while there is a drought situation, restoration works have gained momentum. At present, its aim was to get the repair work done by removing the encroachments from the water bodies, so that the drivers would get relief.
When asked about the long-term plan, he said that it may be suggested to the officials not to carry out excavation work in all the wards of the city. For example, underground drainage work will be carried out for a short distance of about three km. Upon completion, the next three km can be covered for pipe laying. However, this view will be taken up for discussion with the supervisory officers at the ground level before taking a final decision.
Priority would be given to siltation of ponds as conservation was important. Above all, storm water drainage was also necessary. With the active northeast monsoon, residents would have understood the importance of water bodies and hoped to retain them.
When asked about the assessment of crop damage in the district, Ms. Apoorva said it would start soon. “We are waiting for the water to come out in the fields. The preparatory works had already started.”
When the journalists complained about the careless attitude of some senior officials of the corporation which caused trouble to the people, they said that the administration is working. A lot of new constructions were taking place under the Smart City Initiative. So there was bound to be trouble. It’s not that nothing worked.
“Now, we have received the money. Under the leadership of the collector and city chief, the works will be implemented by making a proper plan. He said that strict action would be taken to remove the encroachment done by private people.