AIADMK councillor protests outside TVK MLA’s office over UGD connections

Madurai: An AIADMK councillor led a protest outside the office of the zone II office of the Madurai corporation, on Monday alleging that underground drainage connections were not provided in Vilangudi ward despite sewer works being completed a year ago.Residents, led by councillor Nagajothi Sithan, raised slogans outside the zone-II office with loudspeakers, accusing the Madurai corporation of delaying basic civic services and garbage clearance.“For the last one year, they kept saying the works were delayed because of property tax corruption issues and later they cited the 2026 election,” said K R Chithan, husband of the councillor and an AIADMK functionary. “Only DMK did not do anything for us, but people have chosen you to deliver a transparent and efficient government. So, take this work on priority,” he said, referring to the newly-elected TVK dispensation.The protest centred on ward 20 in Vilangudi where residents alleged that an underground drainage project taken up at a cost of more than Rs240 crore remained incomplete despite works being finished in several stretches.Residents said household sewer connections were not provided even in areas where pipelines had been laid. “Corporation collected deposits of Rs 5,000 from more than 160 households for sewer connections without extending the service,” said Rajakumaran, a resident from Vilangudi.TVK MLA Anban Kallanai later met the protesters outside the zonal office, received their petition and assured them that the issues would be addressed after discussions with officials. Speaking to reporters, the Madurai North MLA blamed delays in civic works on alleged irregularities during the previous administration and said underground drainage and road infrastructure remained the city’s main civic issues. “The new government would prioritise resolving them after consulting officials,” he said.