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NT Bureau
Chennai, Aug 29:

        Terming that the Draft Second Master Plan for Chennai as 'visionless and lacked in content', the Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) has said that Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) should come out in a big way to reach the public to know their opinions about the plan, before going forward with it.

        Speaking to reporters here yesterday, Tara Murali, trustee, CAG said the plan had nothing to do with the real development of the city. 'There is no link between chapters and the information provided is also outdated. It is very difficult to interpret the plan and it has no details on how the government is going to cater with the growing needs of the metropolis.'

        Stating that the draft master plan was a mere bureaucratic exercise, Tara wondered how it is going to benefit the life of the common people.

        'The plan is very partial and it fails to articulate goals to be achieved within the stated time frame. Also, there is no indication that the contents of the plan will be accepted or implemented.'

        Pointing out that the plan lacked in content on how the government is going to deal with critical issues like water, traffic and environment, Rajesh Rangarajan of CAG said the authorities should first come forward to take the plan to the public through various channels.

        Rajesh also said that there were inadequate copies and that too available only in very few venues. No effective mediums were identified to explain about the plan to people, he said.

        'The CMDA should explore efficient and cost effective alternate channels for publishing and disseminating the plan. Citizens and citizen groups must be part of this evaluation process to increase public confidence in the plan. Above all, the plan should be made available to people in such as way that they could understand easily,' he said.

        Rajesh added that the CAG has come to the above conclusions only after analysing the plan in a comprehensive way and also by discussing with eminent persons, planning experts and other people.