Berliner Tageszeitung - Tamil Nadu Govt Assigns Ministers to Oversee Chennai Monsoon Preparedness

The Tamil Nadu state government has issued an order assigning ministers and senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers to oversee all 15 zones of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). The directive, aimed at expediting development works and strengthening emergency preparedness, comes as officials brace for the upcoming northeast monsoon season.

According to an order issued by Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar on Tuesday, ministers with existing district-level monitoring responsibilities have been given additional charge of specific GCC zones. These officials are tasked with monitoring development works and coordinating emergency and relief measures during the monsoon period.

PWD and Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna has been appointed as the coordinator for all 15 zones. Other ministers have been assigned specific geographic areas within the corporation. HR & CE Minister S Ramesh will oversee Tiruvottiyur and Manali, while Commercial Taxes Minister T Lokesh Tamilselvan is in charge of Madhavaram and Tondiarpet.

Health Minister K G Arunraj has been assigned Royapuram and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar. Handlooms Minister M Vijay Balaji will oversee Ambattur, Anna Nagar, and Teynampet. Environment Minister T K Prabhu is responsible for Kodambakkam and Valasaravakkam, while Transport Minister A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban will monitor Alandur and Adyar.

Tasmac Minister K Vignesh has been assigned Perungudi and Sholinganallur. In a separate order, the government also appointed monitoring officers for each of the 15 zones to track storm water drain works and ensure preparedness for relief operations.

These officers have been tasked with visiting their respective zones in coordination with GCC Commissioner GS Sameeran to review preparedness levels. Their duties include the identification and mapping of vulnerable areas, as well as overseeing community participation and other flood-mitigation measures.

D. Fjodorow--BTZ