The much awaited drinking water project for the five added wards of the Tiruchi Corporation in Kattur and Tiruverumbur areas is likely to be delayed as it is awaiting nod from the Public Works Department (PWD) for constructing pumping station and head works.
The project, which is being implemented at a cost of ₹63.70 crore, is aimed at supplying 135 litres of drinking water per head to the residents of 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 wards in Tiruverumbur, Kattur and adjoining areas. Once the project is completed, the Tiruchi Corporation will take over the responsibility of supplying drinking water to them from the Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board (TWAD) that currently supplies 40 litres of water per day and per head to the residents.
The project has been divided into three phases such as head works, construction of reservoirs (overhead tanks) and laying of mains and distribution lines so as to complete the works as early as possible.
According to sources, of the three phases, construction of reservoirs and laying of mains and distribution lines have started gaining momentum following the receipt of No Objection Certificates (NoC) from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the State Highways for laying pipelines along the roads. However, it is said that the PWD (Irrigation) is yet to give green signal for constructing head works and pumping station for the project.
As per the plan, it is proposed to construct pumping station on the Cauvery river bed near Melur so as to supply Cauvery water to the residents. A pumping main will be laid across the river up to a point near Kambarasampettai and from there water will be carried to Tiruverumbur though pipes.
Sources said that clearance of PWD was required for starting the construction work at the proposed site. All necessary documents have been submitted along with the proposal to the PWD, seeking its nod, which was expected soon.
A senior official of the Corporation told The Hindu that the project completion might be delayed by at least six months. There was no immediate possibility of starting pumping station works due to flow of water in the Cauvery. The flow was expected up to the second week of January. Construction of pumping station works could be started only after February or March. However, steps would be expedited to complete the project within December 2018.
