Chennai, Sept 10:
Eight projects originally planned under the Smart Cities Mission in Chennai, involving an estimated cost of Rs.279.03 crore, were not implemented, according to an audit report tabled in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
The performance audit of the implementation of the Smart Cities Mission in Tamil Nadu found that 48 projects worth Rs.1,366.25 crore had originally been planned for Chennai. Of these, eight projects valued at Rs.279.03 crore were not taken up.
The audit report specifically pointed to two major projects proposed under the City Challenge initiative — a street-light monitoring system estimated at Rs.248.47 crore and an Intelligent Traffic Management System estimated at Rs.100 crore. The audit found that the records did not contain adequate justification for dropping these projects.
At the same time, 20 projects that were not part of the original plan were taken up at a cost of Rs.189.66 crore. These included restoration of water bodies, a biogas plant, modernisation of the Kannammapet crematorium, smart classrooms, traffic parks and a green building at the Chennai Corporation campus.
The audit also pointed out that such projects were undertaken without adequate consultation with the public.
Another significant finding was that 13 projects costing Rs.76.32 crore were implemented outside the approved area earmarked for area-based development under the Smart Cities Mission.
The report further noted that Rs.16.23 crore from funds earmarked for administrative and office expenses of the Chennai Smart City Limited had been diverted.
The findings have raised questions over project selection, implementation, financial management and adherence to the approved Smart Cities Mission plans in Chennai.