The Minister travelled to the Old Bus Stand, Chidambara Nagar, and VVV Junction, locations where Smart City construction projects were in progress and costing, respectively, Rs 53.40 crore, Rs 14.96 crore, and Rs 22.60 crore. Ministers Anitha Radhakrishnan and Geetha Jeevan, the Collector K Senthil Raj, and other officials were with him.

Nehru said in a press conference that the Old Bus Stand renovations were nearly finished. The contractors were instructed to speed up the work even though there were some delays in finishing it in the other two locations.

Asked about the shops in the bus stand, he said they would be auctioned. The existing shopkeepers too could participate in the tender process. The Corporation Commissioner and other officers would be responsible for transparency in the auction of the parking lot and other things.

As for the underground drainage works, he said TWAD engineers were working on the project and, by March-end, they would be completed in the city.

To a query on the investigation into the alleged irregularities in the projects, Mr Nehru said that an officer in the rank of IAS had been appointed to probe the works in all the 10 cities in Tamil Nadu. As and when the report was given, the government would take action as per the laws.

So far, 80% to 90 % work had been completed. “Only when we complete them 100% by March, we can get the funds from the Union government. Hence, the officials have to work on deadlines,” he added.