CHENNAI: The number of active Covid cases in the city is steadily declining and Greater Chennai Corporation has begun preparations to resume major infrastructure projects.
Over the past two days, corporation commissioner G S Bedi accompanied officials for field visits and surveys, reviewing several projects including T Nagar skywalk, Villivakkam-Kolathur railway over bridge, relaying of 2,000 bus route and interior roads and storm water drains, officials said.
Most of these projects were stalled due to Covid-related reasons.
For instance, relaying of roads and storm water drains is manpower intensive and after the lockdown announcement a month ago, workers returned to places like Gingee and Villupuram, an official said.
“Work will restart next week as these workers return.
Contractors have started prepping machines,” the official said.
The T Nagar skywalk project, which links Mambalam railway station to T Nagar bus terminus, was stalled due to the oxygen required for welding work.
“There was a huge oxygen shortage in the city and many patients were struggling.
So supply of industrial oxygen was not available,” a civic body official involved in the project said.
Now that oxygen issues have been rectified, work will restart.
“We want to ensure passengers are able to use the skywalk at least on Pongal,” an official said.
Since Kolathur is chief minister M K Stalin’s constituency, the much-delayed Villivakkam-Kolathur over-bridge assumes greater importance now.
“Southern Railway has finished its portion of work.
On the Villivakkam side, land has been obtained from Integral Coach Factory, drains have been laid and a service road will be made.
However, on the Kolathur side, issue of encroachment removal was discussed,” said an official.
This work is likely to to be completes in six to eight months.
Other important projects that are likely to restart soon with full vigour include restoration of Victoria Hall, Mambalam canal restoration and Villivakkam lake restoration.
The civic body is likely to use the tagline ‘Singara Chennai 2.0’ for some projects, sources said.
Top corporation officials, however, are also worried about the impact of a possible third wave on the infrastructure projects.
Bedi is likely to call for a planning meeting regarding this in the next few days, sources said.