Pits dug on several roads in T. Nagar have left many residents concerned over the past few days. What they did not know was that they are an initial step towards ensuring 24x7 water supply and better sewage collection in the area.
T. Nagar was chosen for implementation of a slew of infrastructure projects under the area-based development programme of the Central-government sponsored Smart Cities Mission. Providing uninterrupted water supply and effective sewage collection system are among them.
Spread over 7 sq.km., T.Nagar has about 23,000 water supply connections and nearly 27,500 sewer connections on 425 streets. Southern Headworks (Valluvarkottam) is supplying about 40 million litres on alternate days to T.Nagar and a few neighbouring areas.
As preliminary work, trial pits were dug at nearly 291 spots on various streets of T.Nagar to check the condition of the water supply network. Sources in Chennai Metrowater said the depth and condition of the pipeline up to 1 to 2 metres and soil strata is being studied using ground penetrating radar.
The study involved a topographical survey, door-to-door consumer survey and water audit. Officials said this was more of an exploratory study to check the condition of water pipeline, water flow and the extent of pipeline to be replaced. The study will also help identify loss of water due to leakage.
Report by month-end
“The pits would be closed in a few days after the study and the report is expected to be submitted by this month-end,” said an official. The investigation of existing system would help in designing and developing better water and waste water network and facilitate transformation of T.Nagar into a smart urban space. The area would eventually be covered with metering system.
There are plans to monitor water treatment and supply to households through online Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA), wherein flow meters would be fixed at various spots of pipeline to check on water flow, loss and volume of water that reaches consumers, said the official.
The water agency is providing 650 mld of water on alternate days. Once the project is successfully implemented at T. Nagar that has a population of 3.36 lakh, there are plans to expand the project to other areas, the official added.
