Date:12/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/12/stories/2007111260530100.htm

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Drainage system nearing completion

S. Ganesan

TIRUCHI: The new underground sewer system in the city has reached the completion stage, bringing a huge sigh of relief from motorists and residents in several parts of the city, who had to endure tremendous hardship due to closure of several arterial roads and the huge trenches dug up for the work.

The sewer system, sanctioned at an estimate of Rs.116.67 crore under the National River Conservation Programme, has been completed but for a few minor works in the Thiruvanaikovil/Srirangam zone. It has taken nearly five years to complete the project. Though it was sanctioned in 2001, the work actually commenced only in March 2003.

“We have reached the wrap-up stage,” Collector Ashish Vachhani told The Hindu. The district administration, the Tiruchi Corporation and Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, the executing agency, had come under tremendous pressure after the project overshot several deadlines.

Machinery installation

Mr. Vachhani, who had been monitoring the progress of the project on a weekly basis over the past few months, said the project has all but been completed but for the installation of machinery at a pumping station at Vasudevan Street and a few other minor works. The sewer lines along Uthira and Chithra Streets around the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple would be closed due to the proximity of the temple ramparts. The open drain that runs between the row of houses and the temple would be covered and linked to the underground system, Mr.Vachhani said.

Other than this, laying of sewer lines for a total distance of about 180 kilometres with over 6,000 manholes have been completed. The new system is to be commissioned soon after trial runs, he said.

The system would have the capacity to provide 37,344 new house connections and carry about 115.50 million litres of sewage a day in the ultimate stage by 2033. Sixteen new pumping stations have been established and seven existing ones in the old city limits have been upgraded. The sewage treatment plant at Panchapur has also been upgraded.

Though some of the omitted areas of the city were added to the scheme midway through the execution of the project, several suburban colonies would still be left without underground drains.