Tuticorin Municipal Council meeting held on Thursday

Noisy scenes and boycott by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam councillors marred the proceedings of the Tuticorin Municipal Council meeting on Thursday.

Commotion began when the Chairperson, R. Kasturi Thangam, sought permission of the council to submit a memorandum to the authorities concerned for shifting the Tuticorin Railway Station to Milavittan.

"Shifting of the station will avoid traffic congestion in the town during the closure of three railway gates," she said.

Twelve AIADMK councillors, led by N. Suresh Kumar (Ward 8), protested the move saying that instead of shifting the station, flyovers should be constructed over the gates.

"Shifting is not feasible, considering logistic difficulties," the councillors said.

When Ms. Thangam refused to heed to their views, the AIADMK councillors boycotted the proceedings. They tore copies of the council's resolution to protest the "autocratic" governance of the municipal administration.

Tension prevailed for a while outside the hall as the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam councillors came out and got into a wordy duel with them. The police intervened and eased the tension.

Earlier, Ms. Thangam told the council that infrastructure development works at a cost of Rs 83.42 lakh, earmarked under the 12th State Finance Commission, would be taken up during the current fiscal.

Of the total amount, Rs. 26.85 lakh would be utilised to strengthen Kandasamypuram Main Road, South Cotton Road, Krishnarajapuram Fifth Street and Boopalrayapuram Sixth Street.

The remaining amount would be used to purchase a dumper placer, a weighing machine and garbage bins, all part of efforts to strengthen the ongoing solid waste management project and to settle outstanding dues to the Electricity Board.

Source: The Hindu