Mayor Priya Rajan, the woman behind Chennai's modern transformations

Chennai Mayor Priya Rajan completed a year in the position. Within this one year, Chennai is getting renewed in various aspects. Making CM M.K. Stalin's "Singara Chennai" dream come true is the ultimate goal for Mayor Rajan.

A Year of Transformations

When the Mayor was asked about the transformations she has brought about in last one year, she explained, "A year before, I was just an ordinary citizen living in this capital city of Tamil Nadu. But only after becoming the Mayor, I was able to see the hard work the corporation workers put up for the welfare of this city. Many people are working day and night for the well-being of Chennai. The service people provide and the sacrifices of the workers really enlightened me."

"Being the Mayor of Chennai is totally different from holding the same post in other districts of the State. This position was once held by our current Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Chennai faced huge transformations when M.K. Stalin was the Mayor of the city. In today's Chennai, we could see so many public parks and bridges around. All these were constructed only during his period," she added.]

The Biggest Challenge

It's been a year since Priya Rajan took over the mayoral position of Chennai. When she was asked about her journey in the past one year, she shared,"This was the most challenging year in my life. The position I am holding is completely new to me. I learnt a lot this year. This position was once held also by our current Minister Ma. Subramanian from the DMK party. This has created an additional responsibility for me as I have to meet the achievements of my predecessors. I managed and learnt a lot in the process.

"When the Mayor was asked about the reason behind giving more importance to education in the budget, she told, "When our CM took over the government, he announced that education and medicine will be the eyes of his government. In the same way, I too wanted to put more importance on education. So in the 2023 budget, I ensured that more allocation for education."

"It is highly essential for this generation. Only education can help a person in his/her life. That is why the Greater Chennai Corporation announced scholarships for students who wish to prepare for NEET exams. We are planning to conduct a 'Happy Class' for all the corporation school children," she added.

'Inspired by CM Stalin's idea'

"The students in government schools are from various backgrounds. No one knows their family's status. So in order to ease the mental condition of the children, we are planning to conduct 'Happy Classes'. I love all these ideas we are implementing for the benefit of the students. CM Stalin already launched the 'Morning Breakfast scheme' for school children," she further said.

"As Mayor, I got inspired by the CM and introduced an evening snacks scheme for Chennai government school children. As many schools are conducting special classes after 5 pm, we are providing the students boiled pulses and peanuts as healthy evening snacks," she explained.

Singara Chennai 2.0

The corporation alloted Rs 450 crore for constructing roads in Chennai under the 'Singara Chennai 2.0 scheme'. "When we start working throughout the city at the same time, it will cause a huge disorder. So we are doing the construction works part by part in the city. Under this same scheme, 28 parks in Chennai are getting converted into 'Sponge Parks'. We also planned to create a man-made pond to save rainwater. As a first step, 'Murosoli Maran Park' is getting ready in a full-fledged manner," she added.

Thiru.Vi.Ka Park in Chennai was recently inaugurated after renovations by CM Stalin at a budget of Rs 18 crore. Chennai is getting 17 bridges which are already under construction.

Budget for Public Park renovations

In public parks, the corporation is constructing ponds to save rainwater. This will enable the restoration of the groundwater level. "In the same way, we also planted nearly 55,000 saplings in the Adyar area alone. The corporation allotted Rs 20 crore for renovating the water bodies in the city. Renovating Kosasthalai river is the dream project. We are planning to complete it by 2024. When the project gets completed, it will benefit the people around Manali and Thiruvottiyur," she further said.

Greater Chennai Corporation is giving high importance to the cleanliness and hygiene of the city. "At present, we are constructing 'Bio-Mining' in an area of 225 acre in Perungudi at a whopping budget of Rs 20 crore exclusive for waste management. Also, a bio-mining plant construction is getting started at Kodungaiyur with a budget of Rs 630 crore," the Mayor said.

'CM Stalin's dream is important'

The Greater Chennai Corporation is converting government school classrooms into smart classrooms. "Initially, we implemented this scheme only in a few schools. But when we get the help of volunteers we could implement this scheme throughout Chennai. CM Stalin's dream is to convert Chennai into 'Singara Chennai'. This is the major goal of our corporation. And we are transforming the face of Chennai completely in the answer version. Chennai will get an international upgrade in the next 5 years as per the dream of CM Stalin," Priya Rajan concluded.