Tamil Nadu Government Sets Up One-Man Panel To Investigate Smart City Irregularities

The inquiry committee should submit a report within three months from the time of commencement, said a government order

The flooded roads of Chennai (File Photo/ABP Nadu)

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday formed a single-member committee with retired IAS officer PWC Davidar to investigate the implementation and irregularities of the smart city project in the state.

Chief secretary Irai Anbu in a government order said the committee will look into the implementation of the project, whether smart city special-purpose vehicles were set up and whether the funds of the union and state governments were used as per the guidelines, Times of India reported.

The inquiry committee should submit a report within three months from the time of commencement, it said.

After the implementation of Chennai's Smart Cities Mission in T Nagar and neighbouring areas, the vicinity saw water inundation up to 3 feet during the rains on November 22, 2021.

The areas were flooded after Chennai Corporation carried out works for Rs 110 crore to construct stormwater drains to make the roads flood-proof. The civic body also spent Rs 80 crore for the restoration of the Mambalam canal in T Nagar and Rs 39 crore to construct a pedestrian plaza in Pondy Bazaar.

In November, TN CM Stalin talking to reporters after taking stock of the situation said, several crores were received from the union government for the implementation of the smart city project but we do not know what they (AIADMK-led government) did with it. So, a Commission of Inquiry will be constituted to know the happenings during Velumani, who served as former Municipal Administration Minister.