Chennai, Oct 16:
Greater Chennai Corporation Mayor R Priya has criticised the Tamil Nadu government over the cancellation of civic project tenders worth at least ₹700 crore, alleging that the move has stalled several development works initiated during the previous DMK regime.
Speaking at a DMK-organised protest meeting against stalled civic projects on Thursday, Priya questioned why the government had not invited fresh tenders for projects that were cancelled.
She cited the proposed ₹310-crore Velachery flyover and a ₹7-crore flyover in Kodungaiyur among the projects affected. She also raised concerns over the suspension of pedestrian walkway works and other civic infrastructure projects.
The Mayor said such facilities were important to residents and argued that the government should reissue tenders if there were administrative reasons for cancelling the existing ones.
Priya also questioned the status of proposals for ration shops and anganwadis, alleging that development and welfare initiatives had been held up.
The remarks have intensified the political dispute between the DMK and the ruling TVK government over the status of Chennai’s civic infrastructure projects.