Repairs to the age old sewerage network in the city is soon going to be less cumbersome for the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), and more convenient for the commuters, thanks to the “trench-less technology” to be introduced by the Board soon.
The cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology is being brought in for the first time ever in the State, to address the long duration needed for repair of the sewer lines whenever they break down under heavy load.
Tenders are to be finalised to test this technology as part of a pilot project to reinforce the old pipeline between Khairatabad and Secretariat.
Pre-bid consultations are on with three companies which have come forward to execute the project, Managing Director of the Board M.Dana Kishore explained.
As suggested by its name, the CIPP technology entails insertion of a flattened tube into the damaged pipe, before pumping hot water into it so that it can expand and solidify on the inner walls of the older pipeline. Once set in place, the pipeline will be as good as new, Mr. Dana Kishore added.
“Use of this technology will be helpful in dealing with traffic-related issues when repairing the pipelines. We do not have to dig along the pipeline to locate the problem and repair it. We can just push the tube and let it expand,” he said.
Already in use
While the technology has already been in use in metropolitan cities such as Mumbai and Delhi, this will be the first time it is being introduced in Hyderabad.
However, needing 20 to 25% more investment than required for laying a new pipeline, the technology costs a bomb when compared to the conventional methods of repair.
Though initially planned between Divyashakti Apartments in Ameerpet to GHMC headquarters for 5.5 kilometres, the length had to be cut short owing to the prohibitive cost vis-a-vis unknown results.
High cost
For the proposed kilometre stretch, laying of CIPP is estimated to cost ₹21 crore.
There have been a series of incidents in the recent past, especially during the rainy season, when sewer lines over 30 years of age broke down all of a sudden under pressure.
Remarkable was the incident on NTR Marg last year, when the black-top caved in, leaving a 10-foot-deep gaping hole on the road. It had taken over a week to repair the same, causing traffic chaos.
Entire network
Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) K.T.Rama Rao during a recent press meet had clarified that there is no further movement in the proposal to replace the entire sewerage network in the city to match the present and future needs.
With the sewerage network connected to the storm water drains at places, the reverse flow of rain water during monsoons often results in breakdown of sewer lines.
