The delayed pre-monsoon preparations and on-going smart road projects have plunged Thiruvananthapuram into chaos. The city corporation initiated the pre-monsoon sanitation drive, crucial for averting flooding, only recently. Sanitation efforts are still underway in many corporation wards, with the Chalai area particularly hard-hit by waterlogging. The on-going smart city projects in Chalai Market and the Attakulangara-Killipalam area have exacerbated the situation for residents and commuters. Chalai ward councillor Simi Jyothish reported numerous shops and houses being inundated following Saturday night's rainfall. She expressed concern over closed drainages due to on-going construction, leading residents to break barriers to alleviate flooding. Additionally, she criticised the corporation for delays in releasing funds for the pre-monsoon sanitation drive. In response to the flooding, the district collector has called a special meeting on Tuesday to review progress and ensure coordination among various departments. Meanwhile, the city corporation plans to deploy a 'suction cum jetting machine' to clear clogged drains efficiently and address the flooding issue without manual assistance. (Source: New Indian Express)