Highways dept. ropes in sub-contractors to speed up storm-water drain work

All agencies are working in tandem to ensure end connectivity and proper disposal of water flowing into drains, say officials

In an effort to speed up the work, the Highways department has brought in more contractors. Minister for Highways E.V. Velu, who has held inspections daily this week, told The Hindu that the department had engaged sub-contractors at several locations, including Wall Tax Road, Velachery-Tambaram Road and on Jawaharlal Nehru Salai where a 700-metre-long drain is under construction to carry rainwater to the Adyar.

“If the work had been entrusted to a single contractor, we have brought in additional contractors with men and machinery to speed up the work. These are smaller contractors from rural areas and the cost would have to be borne by the contractor who is carrying out the work,” he said.

Mr. Velu said that due to heavy traffic on city roads, the men were forced to work only between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. “This leaves us with very small window for work. We cannot leave heavy machinery on the roadside to carry out the work so we move everything daily,” he said.

“There is pressure on us, which is why there are inspections every night,” he said. This year, most of the work by the department is meant to provide relief to residents of interior roads and not just those using arterial roads.

On Anna Salai, the contractors dug up the road near the dargah at night to put in place huge box-like concrete structures. This drain would carry water from G.P. Road to the other side of the road from where it would be diverted to the nearby water course. The police had cordoned off those sides when the work was carried out and the road was restored by the morning.

Amandeep Singh Kandhari, a resident of Royapettah, said that many shopkeepers on the road like his friend Ravi had raised the shop floor and constructed steps to keep their wares safe.