Trichy Councillors Demand Urgent Road Completion Before Election Code Implementation
In a significant development at Trichy Corporation's first monthly council meeting of the year, councillors made a pressing demand to Mayor Mu Anbalagan and senior officials. They urged the expedited completion of new road projects before the model code of conduct for the upcoming assembly elections comes into effect.
Disparity Between Road and Drain Development Expenditure
While the municipal corporation has allocated substantial funds for infrastructure development, a concerning imbalance has emerged. During the 2024-25 financial year, the corporation spent an impressive Rs77.7 crore on road development. However, in stark contrast, only Rs9 crore was utilized for developing stormwater drains.
This significant disparity has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of new roads in handling surplus rainwater. Without adequate drainage infrastructure, even newly constructed roads may prove vulnerable during heavy rainfall, potentially leading to waterlogging and related issues.
Road Completion Statistics and Future Plans
Mayor Mu Anbalagan provided detailed statistics about completed and pending road works. As of January 2026, the corporation has successfully completed 887 road works during the current financial year. Looking ahead, officials plan to complete an additional 807 works within the remaining two months of the fiscal year.
These upcoming projects, with an estimated cost of Rs64.5 crore, will involve relaying approximately 108 kilometers of roads across all five zones of Trichy. The mayor emphasized that once initiated, most road works can be completed within a day or two, suggesting efficient implementation is possible if properly coordinated.
Specific Concerns Raised by Councillors
DMK councillor V Leela from ward 49 highlighted ongoing issues in her constituency, stating, "New roads and drains are still pending in our ward. People demand that the road works be completed at the earliest."
The meeting also addressed several problem areas throughout the city:
- Roads damaged during underground drainage (UGD) installation
- Areas affected by the 24X7 drinking water supply scheme implementation
- Sections where private telecom companies installed cables without proper restoration
- Specific locations including Cantonment and Puthur requiring attention
LIC Sankar, councillor from ward 20, pointed out particular trouble spots: "Big Kammala Street near Big Bazaar Street, a busy stretch, has been remaining damaged for months. West Boulevard Road also requires attention."
Tender Process and Implementation Timeline
Mayor Anbalagan outlined the corporation's plan to address these concerns systematically. He revealed that 807 new road works have been identified across all five zones, and tenders have already been floated for these projects.
"We will identify suitable contractors by the first week of February," the mayor assured councillors. "Work orders will be issued to commence work before the election code of conduct sets in."
Stormwater Drain Development Challenges
While road development has received substantial funding, stormwater drain projects have progressed more slowly. Out of the Rs32.5 crore allocated for stormwater drains in 2024-25, only Rs9 crore has been spent to date.
The mayor addressed this concern by announcing that a tender has been floated for drain construction in various city wards, with works valued at Rs23.4 crore. He committed that "drains for a length of 14 kilometers will be developed within the financial year."
Political Tensions Surface During Meeting
The council meeting witnessed political tensions when DMK councillor V Ramadoss from ward 55 staged a walkout. He alleged that the mayor was deliberately ignoring development work in his ward due to personal differences.
Mayor Anbalagan promptly dismissed these allegations, countering that works worth approximately Rs33 crore have already been completed in the councillor's ward to date.
The meeting highlighted the complex interplay between infrastructure development, municipal governance, and political considerations as Trichy prepares for upcoming elections while addressing critical urban infrastructure needs.
