G.S. Sameeran, a 2012-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, assumed charge as Commissioner of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on Tuesday. Notably, he previously served as the GCC’s Joint Commissioner from 2023 to 2024.
An MBBS graduate from the University of Kerala, Dr. Sameeran holds a postgraduate diploma in urban environmental management and law from the National Law University, Delhi.
He began his IAS career as Assistant Collector (Training) in Thoothukudi district in 2013, then was appointed Sub-Collector in Paramakudi, Director of Fisheries, and Collector of Tenkasi (2020-21) and Coimbatore (2021-23). Prior to his current position, he served as Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board and the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board. He has also won national awards for his work in various fields.
Here are the edited excerpts from his interview with The Hindu:
The GCC had recorded ₹1,602 crore in its 2026-27 Budget. What will be the steps taken to compensate for past deficits and outstanding contractor debts?
There will be a detailed review of the revenue and fund position of the local body on May 20. We will be concentrating on GCC’s own-source revenues and new revenue-generating mechanisms like advertisements and there are upcoming Public-Private Partnership projects in the pipeline. Apart from this, outsourcing bus bays and identifying unassessed or under-assessed properties will also be pursued to sustain the local body’s expenditure.
You were formerly the Joint Commissioner (Works). Now, how will you prioritise infrastructure projects like stormwater drains, road relaying, and monsoon preparedness as Commissioner?
On May 20, I will have a general review of all the internal departments. I will have a preliminary review of the status of all the works, including stormwater drains, other building works, and monsoon preparedness works. A detailed review will be charted in the coming days.
What will be your vision for flood mitigation and the Cooum and Adyar River projects?
The maintenance of a few canals, such as the Otteri Nullah, Jafferkhanpet Canal, and the Captain Cotton Canal, has been handed over to the GCC from the PWD. The GCC will begin desiltation, bund strengthening, and flood mitigation works before the monsoon sets in. In some places, culverts need to be raised. The GCC has also taken up the revamping of many ponds, which will be completed, including those in Ramapuram, near Padavattamman Temple, and water bodies in Kadappakkam and Korattur. Flood mitigation and clearing the channels will be the first priority. Beautification of the water bodies, including the rivers, will be the next stage. Bringing them into public use by setting up parks, walkways, etc., will be done subsequently.
Complaints regarding encroachments have been constant. What action will be taken?
Outright and permanent encroachments on government property by way of construction will definitely be dealt with an iron hand and treated seriously with legal action. On the other hand, everyone wants a beautiful city without hindrance to pedestrians and traffic, but the livelihood of the people who depend on street vending also needs to be considered. GCC will see how best this can be handled by rehabilitating people and creating pedestrian and transport-friendly streets and pathways. This will involve consulting stakeholders for rehabilitation and making arrangements without damaging livelihoods overnight.