City Municipal Corporation officials are hopeful of completing Phase II of the River Thirumanimutharu Improvement Project in four months after work was expedited recently.
Initially, the work order was issued on September 22, 2007 and the project was expected to be completed by September 2011 at a cost of Rs. 31.50 crore.
The project divided as nine packages include construction of Ananda Bridge, Gundu Podum Bridge, bridge near Old Bus Stand and river lining work for a total 2.188 km.
But due to frequent disruption in work, all the eight packages, except Package 2 were completed.
Package 2 include, river lining from Apsara Bridge to Sevvapet Bridge for a total 645 metres.
Engineers said that work is currently on to create the river bed to divert sewage water near Sevvapet and would be completed as scheduled.
Slow pace
Though the project is into its seventh year, the slow pace of work irked the residents as during rainy season, sewage water from the river entered the houses in low-lying areas.
The river now doubles up as a garbage dumping spot for the residents as it passes through the heart of the city. The civic body has proposed to beautify the river, make multiple vehicle parking on the river bed and create parks.
Only after the work is completed, beautification work would be carried out, corporation engineers said.
Of the total project cost, Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL) has provided a loan of Rs. 18.50 crore and a grant of sum of Rs. 9.85 crore.
The civic body’s contribution is Rs. 3.15 crore.
