Fri Feb 14 19:47:54 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Holds Pre-Budget Review Meeting to Address Civic Issues
**Chennai, February 15, 2025** – Tamil Nadu’s Municipal Administration and Water Supply Minister, K.N. Nehru, chaired a pre-budget review meeting on Friday, focusing on development projects across ten districts. The meeting, held in Chennai, brought together Mayors, Commissioners, MLAs, and other officials to address pressing civic concerns.
Key requests included upgrades to aging infrastructure, particularly a 35-year-old underground drainage system in Kancheepuram, and repairs to roads damaged by previous infrastructure projects. Representatives also highlighted the need for improved stormwater drains, new public amenities such as children’s parks and electric crematoria, and the establishment of knowledge centers in several areas. Specific requests included widening a bridge in Ponneri and allocating additional funds for shops at a bus stand under construction in Arcot.
Minister Nehru stated that 90% of development projects announced between 2021 and 2024 have been completed. He emphasized the government’s focus on road improvements, stormwater drainage, and underground sewage systems, alongside drinking water supply, public toilets, markets, and streetlights. He also addressed concerns about a potential fund shortage affecting water supply, attributing issues to aging infrastructure and increased demand due to urbanization. He directed officials to prepare detailed project reports for all requests before the next fiscal year.
The Minister announced that subsequent review meetings will cover Madurai and Coimbatore districts, with all districts to be reviewed by February 21. The meeting was also attended by several other ministers and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. The meeting comes amidst reports of protests in other parts of the state regarding law and order issues.
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