Finally, a sewerage system for added areas

After several years, residents of Tiruvottiyur and Ambattur may have sewerage connections by December as the specific schemes will finally be completed after missing several deadlines. It is after many hiccups that the schemes to provide underground drainage networks in the added areas have been lined up for completion.

Of the 42 added areas where the projects are to be implemented by Chennai Metrowater, Valasaravakkam, Alandur and Madhavaram have sewerage systems.

While in Tiruvottiyur, where the project was initiated seven years ago, the work is expected to be over in two months, nearly 90 per cent of Ambattur residents will have sewerage connections this year. The remaining parts will be covered by March.

A few areas on the IT corridor — Sholinganallur, Karapakkam and Pallikaranai — will also have a better sewage disposal system in the next few months. Nearly 3.4 lakh people are expected to benefit.

Sources in Chennai Metrowater said once a newly constructed sewage pumping station starts functioning, households in the area covered will be provided connections instead for waiting for the entire locality to be covered with the sewerage system.

This will also minimise illegal release of untreated sewage in vacant plots and water bodies.

Pre-cast structures

Moreover, there are plans for using pre-cast structures for manholes to save time in construction on busy roads. The water agency is already building concrete manholes instead of brick-made ones to prevent frequent collapse.

A press release said work is on in 17 areas, including Maduravoyal, Perungudi, Kathivakkam and Ramapuram. Work is set to commence in added areas, including Puthagaram, Nolambur and Mugalivakkam in the next few days at a cost of Rs. 179.36 crore.

The projects are slated to be completed in 30 months.

While detailed project reports are ready for projects to be executed in 10 more areas this fiscal, the remaining 12 localities including Kottivakkam and Uthandi will be covered with drainage systems after the assessment of lands required.

In the next few years, nearly 21 lakh consumers will be served by Chennai Metrowater.

Among the local bodies in Chennai Metropolitan Area, Avadi municipality will have its sewerage network in November.