Over 1,000 rain-affected roads in Chennai to be redeveloped

Under the supervision of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, the Greater Chennai Corporation is currently reconstructing over 1,000 rain-battered roads in the city. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government had accused the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) of stealing money from the Centre's Smart City programme. Stalin has already paid two visits to the reconstructed sites in less than a week. When Chennai was hit by heavy rains last year, the DMK government formed an inquiry commission to look into SP Velumani, the AIADMK leader who held the municipal administration portfolio in the previous government. The DMK and AIADMK governments were at odds over the state of Chennai's flooded roads, with Stalin accusing Velumani of taking commissions rather than putting in the effort to prevent floods. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami, on the other hand, had inquired about Stalin's activities as mayor of Chennai in the 1990s. The Chief Minister then promised to repair the roads during the northeast monsoon and met with several officials, ordering that all of the damaged roads be completely removed and re-laid before the next monsoon. According to reports, CM Stalin has issued a firm warning to officials from the Chennai civic body and the highway department not to lay down roads without milling them first. The Chief Minister and other senior officials have repeatedly said that roads should not be built quickly and that high-quality materials should be used to ensure that they last. Image SourceAlso read: Chennai to add three more flyovers at cost of Rs 335 cr