Chennai Metrowater has set in motion the process of improving sewage pumping stations and pipelines in the city at a cost of Rs.40 crore.
Officials of Metrowater said 33 of the 197 pumping stations have been identified to be taken up under the project. Their capacity would be enhanced before the onset of the northeast monsoon this year to reduce recurring complaints of sewage blocks and overflow.
While the pumping stations at Kolathur and Villivakkam would be improved in a few days, there are plans to install additional motors in the facilities located in many areas, including Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Anna Nagar, Mylapore, Kalakshetra Colony and Lakshmi Nagar (Velachery).
Metrowater has initiated the process of awarding the contracts for the remaining works.
The project would be taken up at a cost of nearly Rs.5.70 crore. Once the improvement work is completed, complaints related to sewer problems are expected to reduce considerably, an official said.
A meeting with the contractors of pumping stations would be convened in a few days to discuss issues related to operation and maintenance.
The water agency also plans to replace the pumping sewer main pipelines, which are used to transmit the sewage from one pumping station to another or a sewage treatment plant.
Pipelines running to a distance of 25 km would be replaced to increase their carrying capacity. These include those in Tondiarpet, Kasimedu, Shenoy Nagar, Besant Nagar and Velachery, at a cost of nearly Rs.34 crore.
Work order would soon be issued for the project that is set to be completed within a span of 12 months, an official said. Estimates are also being prepared to replace old sewage pipelines in the city.
“We have recently changed water distribution pipeline covering a distance of 120 km. This is expected to address the problems pertaining to quality and quantity of the supply,” said an official.
Pipelines, which are used for service connections, covering 45 km in various areas have also been changed at a cost of Rs.9 crore. Instead of the regular polyvinyl chloride, the pipelines made of medium density polyethylene that last longer have been used.
This would help curb water leak and contamination, the official added.
