Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Corporation begins work to shift water line at Hope College

Photo: M. Periasamy

REVIEW: Mayor R. Venkatachalam (second left) and Deputy Mayor N. Karthik (second right) checking a work plan at the Hope College bridge in the city on Wednesday. —

COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore Corporation began on Thursday work to shift a drinking water main line at Hope College so that the widening of the bridge over the railway line could be speeded up.

Mayor R. Venkatachalam said after a joint inspection with Corporation, Railways and Public Works Department (PWD) officials that earth works, such as digging of pit for the new line, had begun.

The bridge is being widened to facilitate the six-laning of Avanashi Road over a stretch of 16 km from the flyover in the city to Nilambur in the outskirts and also to enable the doubling of the Irugur-Coimbatore railway line.

The joint inspection was the Corporation’s initiative in the wake of charges that delay on the part of the civic body in shifting the line had held up the bridge work.

The Mayor admitted that the Corporation had received a letter from the Railways three months ago, asking for the shifting of the water line. “But, we could take up our share of the work only after the railways finished their part that was close to the water lines,” he said.

“Now that they have finished their work, the Corporation has begun its task.”

“We, however, do not want the entire project to be halted by any lack of co-ordination. Therefore, I have suggested to the officials of the Railways, PWD, the Department of Highways and the Coimbatore Corporation that co-ordination meetings can be held often to review the progress,” the Mayor said.

He insisted on inter-personnel interaction and joint reviews instead of mere letter correspondence.

The Mayor said that the line shifting work would be over in 10 days.

There were two more water lines nearby. The PWD would shift these as the lines belonged to it.

As for the Corporation Pilloor water scheme line, the Mayor said that the existing 200 diametre line would be replaced with one measuring 250 diametre.

“We are increasing the size by taking into consideration the growth that is taking place in the eastern parts of the city,” Mr. Venkatachalam said.

The Mayor pointed out that the current growth rate pointed to the rise in population over the next few years.

“I have also asked for enough space for the water line to be laid flat, so that the flow was not affected. And, I have also told the contractors not to have too many bends that will only slacken the pace of water supply,” he said.

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