The Corporation has ruled out irregularities in the construction of water tanks at Thottilpatti in Mettur under the Rs. 320.54 crore Mettur – Salem Dedicated Water Supply Scheme and said that the contractor has been asked to rectify the defects in the tanks.
The scheme is implemented in two phases, Phase I at a cost of Rs. 186 crore that includes construction of raw water pumping station and treatment plant at Thottilpatti, laying of transmission line from Mettur to Mamangam.
Work has been completed and trial run has begun a year ago.
The Phase II is implemented at a cost of Rs. 132 crore that includes construction of 22 overhead tanks and laying of feeder mainline in the city and giving house connections.
These works were in progress and is expected to be over in a year.
A press release from the Corporation Commissioner K.R. Selvaraj said that the treatment plants are constructed on Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) basis by the Delhi-based company and third party inspection is carried out by experts from Government Engineering College, Coimbatore at each stage of work. Based on the expert committee report, approval is given for starting of next work.
As per the contract terms, the company has to construct and carry out maintenance and handover to the civic body.
Since seepage was found in the tanks, the company has been asked to rectify it at their own cost. After completing all the works, third party inspection would be carried out by a Chennai-based company and based on their report, the scheme is handed over to the civic body.
Mr. Selvaraj said that the civic body has to pay Rs. 3.54 core to the contractor for the completed works and payments would be made only if the works are satisfied.
The corporation has clarified that the construction works are under the control of the contractor and is yet to be handed over to the civic body.
