The Project Implementation Agency has commenced laying of electrical underground cable as part of the Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction Project at Ariyankuppam.
The PIA is implementing nearly six projects at a cost of ₹87.14 crore with financial assistance from the World Bank in the coastal areas. For the 1,500 consumers in Ariyankuppam, nearly a 50-km long cable would be laid underground at a cost of ₹5.83 crore. “We have completed 50% of the work,” a senior official of PIA said.
The official added that cables were being laid for nearly 108 km length at Abdul Kalam Nagar and at PWD quarters in Mudaliarpet at a cost ₹15.5 crore. It would benefit 3,450 consumers. The work had begun a fortnight ago and was expected to be completed in March 2018.
The work to lay 88 km cable at Poornankuppam had already begun. “The ₹12.58 crore project will benefit 1,470 consumers. We started laying the cable in August 2017 and one-third of the work has been completed,” he said. In Narambai and Panithittu, 105 km cable is being laid at a cost of ₹16.22 crore for 1,882 consumers. “The work started in August 2017 and one-third of the work has been completed,” said the senior official.
The official added that one of the major projects was the HT conversion taken up at a cost of ₹14.9 crore. “Three new feeders have been commissioned in Marappalam substation, which is one of the main substations from where power is supplied to Puducherry. Work on two more feeders will begin next month at Muthialpet where there are chronic power cuts. The pre-commissioning test would be complete next month end,” the official said.
The Joint Project Director (Technical) added that all the projects would be completed by March 2018.
The PIA with the help of Pondicherry University submitted the environment and social management plan (check) to the World Bank. After this, the World Bank gave the nod to begin the work in July 2016.
While tenders for these projects were called in 2013-14, no one participated in the process. The tenders were again called in 2014-15 and work for this project kick-started in 2016. “We had initially submitted a detailed project report for 15 projects from Kalapet to Bahour. Later, the World Bank approved six projects at a cost of ₹87.14 crore,” the official said.
The World Bank had set a deadline of July 2018 to complete all the six projects. The department was planning to complete it by March 2018.
Taken by surprise
Residents of Radhakrishna Nagar at Ariyankuppam were facing the heat as the roads towards their homes had been dug up on both the sides.
A resident, on condition of anonymity, said that they were unable to take out their cars or park their two-wheelers near their house. Ayyappan, a resident of Ariyankuppam, said the agency should have at least informed the public. “If they cut open the road on either side simultaneously, how will the residents walk through to reach their homes or take their vehicles out? The agencies should take the citizens into confidence before implementing it,” said Mr. Ayyappan.
The residents had to contact the senior officials in the PIA with their complaints. However, senior officials implementing the Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction Project said they had informed the public and were taking steps to complete the project at the earliest to mitigate their problems.
