Officials asked to take steps to desilt drains

With several areas affected by rains, including the heart of the city, which witnessed water-logging due to choking of drains, City Mayor P Rajkumar asked officials to take steps to desilt the drains.
During a review meeting chaired by him, Rajkumar asked the officials to take steps to desilt the channels and drain water on a war-footing.
The corporation commissioner, Vijay Karthikeyan, who was also present, asked the officials to constitute flood relief committees.
Each zone should have a mobile unit, besides a 24-hour control room at zonal offices, as 19 locations were affected by rains, he said.
Meanwhile, about 200 sanitary workers, affiliated to CITU today staged a dharna near the corporation office, seeking increase in wages and 20 per cent Diwali bonus.

Each sanitary worker was getting Rs.175 per day, as against Rs.286, they were entitled to, CITU representatives said.
A committee, which has been formed to look into the issue, is expected to meet and take a decision soon, official sources said.