According to a Chennai Corporation official, three contractors each would be empanelled to take care of the works at North (1-5 zones), Central (6-10 zones) and South (11-15 zones) regions. 

Explaining the advantage of appointing specific contractors, the official added that the contractors would ensure periodic check-ups and would assure centralised maintenance. 

“Until now, periodic maintenance works are being handed over to small contractors whenever the need arose. If a particular bridge needed maintenance, we would appoint a contractor for maintaining only that particular bridge,” added the official.

It is learnt that the civic body has floated three separate tenders for the three regions, not only to maintain bridges but also the foot-over bridges and subways. In all, the Greater Chennai Corporation has been maintaining 272 bridges of varied sizes and purposes, including 16 subways. “A total of Rs 1.20 crore has been allotted for the work – with Rs 40 lakh to be spent for each region. The maintenance works will begin after the opening of bids and suitable bidders selected,” the official said.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Corporation is also planning to maintain public toilets with the help of private contractors and collect fees from users based on the location of such toilets. “Conventional toilets will be set up at more than 850 locations in city. Tenders will be floated soon,” another official said.