Chennai: From ABC centres and Mudhalvar Padaipagams to flyovers in Anna Salai and Korukkupet, several big-ticket projects in the city will go on as usual even as the model code of conduct (MCC) kicked in. Meanwhile, works that may get over in March or April will be opened for public use without any fanfare.Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), highways, and Chennai Metrowater are carrying out several big-ticket works, including construction of the Padi river bridge across Cooum, canal bridges in Virugambakkam, and road expansion works on the Inner Ring Road and Sardar Patel Road, while works for the phase-II Blue Flag beach are ongoing.Deputy mayor Mahesh Kumar said they inaugurated all the big-ticket projects in the city, and works that get over from Monday until voting day will be allowed for public use. “There won’t be any inauguration or events publicising the completed works,” he said.On Saturday and Sunday, GCC floated 180 tenders, with 16 of them being floated, with over 10 of them being floated at 3.40pm, just 20 minutes before MCC came into force. Officials said tenders floated on Sunday were closed tenders for minor works, for which they will just hire pre-selected contractors to finish them. The civic body on Saturday, however, floated several big tenders for road relaying worth close to 100 crore, while MLAs were on a spree to exhaust the remaining funds before them getting lapsed. GCC floated a tender under Anna Nagar MLA M K Mohan’s funds worth 12.4 lakh to install gym equipment and furniture for multi-purpose halls, and for the formation of a shuttle court with an indoor stadium. Under Velachery MLA funds of 11 lakh, GCC is renovating bus shelters from Thiruvanmiyur to Adyar. Mahesh Kumar said these works were kicked off before MCC and that they will go as planned. Chengalpet MLA M Varalakshmi in the wee hours of Saturday inaugurated a bus shelter with car lights on anticipating the MCC could come the next day. Similarly, the restored Madhavaram Retteri Lake was inaugurated by MLA Sudharsanam.
