The Hindu : Metrowater contracts for 2 projects

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 18, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Metrowater contracts for 2 projects

By T. Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI June 17. After sitting on the selection of the executing agency for two important schemes for years, Metrowater has awarded contracts for Chembarampakkam water treatment plant and Araniar-Kortalaiyar (AK) river basin re-assessment study projects.

Preliminary work on the two schemes has also begun. While it will take two years for commissioning the Chembarampakkam plant, a period of 18 months has been earmarked for the AK river basin study, say official sources.

Estimated to cost around Rs. 135 crores, the Chembarampakkam plant, on operationalisation, will have the capacity to treat 530 million litres a day (MLD). SIPCOT can draw 75 MLD from the tank.

At present, there are two plants in Kilpauk and Red Hills, which have the capacity of 320 MLD and 300 MLD respectively.

Taken up with the French assistance, the Chembarampakkam project includes treatment plant with clear water storage tank and pump house. Early this year, the PWD completed intake point tower, built in the Japanese style architecture, with a provision for control and VHF rooms, besides section office. It cost Rs. 10.25 crores, borne by Metrowater and the SIPCOT.

The French company, Degremont, has been entrusted with the project. A provision of Rs. 87 crores has been made in Metrowater's budget this year.

As part of the scheme, a headworks will also be set up in Porur, about 10 km downstream of Chembarampakkam, from where transmission mains will head to water distribution stations of K.K. Nagar, Pallipattu, Mylapore-Nandanam, Valluvar Kottam and Velachery.

The implementation of the Chembarampakkam project has been based on the premise that Krishna water, after being received at Satyamurthi Sagar in Poondi, will be transferred to the tank, located on western fringes of the city. However, for this, the water level at Poondi should almost touch the brim.

The AK river basin re-assessment study was another project stuck up in bureaucratic wrangles till recently. This basin is a nearer source to the city. A minimum of 50 MLD of groundwater is drawn form here in normal times and 100 MLD during drought.

Flowing in parallel in the north of Chennai, these two rivers join the sea near Ennore/Pulicat Lake. Though they experience water flows seasonally, particularly the northeast monsoon, their basin is said to be rich with enormous groundwater that remains untapped.

The rationale behind the Rs.6-crore study is to assess exact groundwater potential in this basin. There are varying estimates about the potential. According to an UNDP study, the figure comes to about 960 MLD whereas the PWD says it is as high as 1,630 MLD.

So, to arrive at the right quantum, a British consultancy firm, Knight Piesold, has been chosen. The study will be carried out in two phases. Initially, the consultancy company will identify whether the basin can contribute an additional 300 MLD. If it is found to be so, the next phase will be taken up which will examine the issue of transfer of irrigation rights from farmers.

This will be the first such study to be done in the country, says the policy document of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply department for 2002-2003.

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