Frequent bursting of underground sewage lines in a few parts of the city has raised questions over the effectiveness of the underground drainage system.
Digging roads, including newly-laid ones, to set right faulty manholes is a common sight in the city, particularly in Cantonment, Bheema Nagar and Central Bus Stand area. A few days ago, Alexandria Road, one of the arterial roads in the city, was dug up in at least five spots to carry out repair of manholes following reports of overflowing of sewage water on the road.
Now, it is the turn of men and machines of the Tiruchi Corporation to focus on Collector Office Road to set right manholes. The road, which has become the main alternative for Dindigul-bound vehicles ever since traffic was diverted in view of the ongoing construction of railway over-bridge near Aristo Hotel roundabout, has been dug up in the middle.
It is not the first time that the Collector Office road is dug up for the manhole problem. It has been dug up for at least seven to eight times in the past one year alone. However, it seems there is no end to the problems which crop up very frequently.
The irony is that the officials were forced to dig up the road near St. John Vestry Anglo- Indian School within a few days of carrying out patch works. The manhole repairing work is under way for more than 10 days, causing inconvenience to residents, especially road users. Stench also emanates near manhole repairing works are under way.
There are reports that a few persons had fallen into a trench dug up on Alexandria Road while carrying out manhole repair works. Though they had managed to escape with minor bruises, residents are angry over frequent malfunctioning of sewage lines. “We encounter the problem very often. It takes at least four to five days to repair the manholes. It gives hardship to us,” said a resident of Raja Colony, who frequently uses Collector Office road.
C. Balasubramanian, president, District Exnora, said that blocking of sewer lines or bursting of manholes had been taking place in the old Tiruchi municipal limit areas for so long. It is said that the underground sewage system, which was laid about four decades ago, had reached its maximum capacity. The sewage lines were unable to withstand the pressure. Hence, the Tiruchi Corporation should undertake a detailed study of the issue by involving experts on the subject in order to find a permanent solution.
