Some of the residents are disappointed that the Tiruchi City Corporation has not made any allocation for stopping the discharge of untreated sewage into the Uyyakondan canal.
| Photo Credit: M. MOORTHY
The Tiruchi City Corporation Budget for 2025-26 presented on Wednesday has evoked mixed response from residents and civic activists.
The civic body has allocated funds under various schemes for road development, strengthening of major drainage canals, renovating waterbodies, and building new storm-water drains and pumping stations in low-lying areas.
Many have welcomed this move, as they say, that focusing on drains and canals is the need of the hour. “As several areas in the city were severely inundated during the previous monsoon, allocations for flood-prevention work, such as improving the existing drains and pumping stations in flood-prone areas, is a good move. Measure to procure super sucker vehicle to clear clogs in the sewer line and funds for revamping UGD network is appreciated,” said N. Jamaludeen, an activist.
The Corporation has allocated funds for some promising projects, including bridges across the Uyyakondan Canal and a vegetable market at Panjapur, to address the city’s infrastructure needs. However, the decision to spend ₹60 crore on renovating Gandhi Market has raised concern. “Instead of spending so much on renovation, steps should have been taken to relocate the vendors from the market, which would eventually reduce the traffic hold-ups around the area,” said H. Ghouse Baig, an activist.
No announcements about plans to resolve traffic congestion in the city is a big miss among the public. “As traffic congestion in the city is an everyday affair. Construction of footbridges or subways at highly crowded spots like Teppakulam, Chinthamani, Anna Salai, Puthur, Railway Junction, Central Bus Stand and Head Post Office is much needed. This has been a long-standing demand of the people of Tiruchi,” said P. Ayyarappan, president, Road Users Welfare Association.
A major disappointment was that funds were not allocated for preventing sewage discharge at 32 points in the Uyyakondan Canal. “Although the mini sewage treatment plants are announced on the banks of the canal, immediate steps to plug the discharge have not been initiated,” said K.C. Neelamegam, state treasurer, Makkal Sakthi Iyyakam.
“We welcome the move to set up roadside parks and other beautification work. But maintenance of the already existing public parks should be a focus as many lay in ruins,” he added.
Announcements on setting up artificial intelligence facilities in all Corporation schools and establishing indoor stadiums and libraries in each zone have been largely appreciated.
Published – March 27, 2025 06:43 pm IST
