Monsoon woes are still fresh in mind

Delay in completion of Smart City Projects expected to impact poll results

The agonising delay in completion of Smart City Projects that were designed and being executed to mitigate the residents’ decades-old woes, especially during monsoon, is expected to reflect in the civic polls on February 19.

Interestingly, candidates of both the ruling and Opposition parties are expected to face the residents’ ire during canvassing of votes as they hold the DMK and the AIADMK responsible for the delay. When Thoothukudi, a dusty and cramped coastal town with full of encroachments and illegal structures that cause traffic snarls throughout the year, was handpicked for implementing Smart Cities Mission project in 2018, it was expected that 65 schemes, taken up with Central assistance of ₹974 crore, will change the very face of the town. Unfortunately, the residents’ predicaments continue even after ₹436 crore spent on the projects selected under the Smart City scheme.

While 31 projects have been completed, the remaining 34 development schemes are under under various stages, officials say.