Sri Vijaya Puram, May 16: Water scarcity, incomplete roads and damaged footpaths continue to remain the biggest concerns in Prem Nagar’s Ward No. 7, even as several civic infrastructure projects are being taken up across the area, councillor Amar Devi said.
The councillor, elected in 2022, said efforts were being made to address long-pending civic issues in the ward despite delays linked to limited funds and pending contractor payments.
According to the councillor, a parking facility near Sagritara School was initiated following a request to the Public Works Department (PWD), while the tender process for road repair works under the Central Road Fund (CRF) has been completed. The repair works are expected to begin shortly in surrounding areas.
The councillor said sanitation workers had played a major role in maintaining cleanliness in the ward. Around 227 street lights have also been installed with support from the administration, while replacement of old street lights and installation of additional units are underway in several locations.
However, the councillor said water scarcity remained the most serious challenge facing not only the ward but the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a whole. The region’s dependence on a single major dam was cited as one of the reasons behind the continuing shortage amid rising population pressure.
Efforts are currently being made in coordination with water department officials to ensure fair distribution of available water supply across the area, the councillor said.
The councillor also pointed to financial constraints affecting the pace of development works, stating that delays in release of funds and contractor bill payments often slow down projects. Despite this, officials from different departments, including engineers and field staff, were described as supportive in carrying out civic works.
Meanwhile, the Delanipur Community Hall project is nearing completion, with electrical works remaining pending. The tender for the remaining work has already been approved, and the project is expected to be completed within the next one to two months.
As part of measures to address water shortage, restoration and cleaning of wells have also been taken up in different parts of the ward. The Delanipur well was recently cleaned again under the initiative.
Beautification work has also been carried out at the Hindu cremation ground in the area, including improvement of the surroundings and installation of seating arrangements for visitors.
The councillor said pending works such as footpath repairs and construction of additional wells were still to be completed, adding that efforts would continue during the remaining tenure to improve civic infrastructure in the ward.
