Solutions to two longstanding civic problems in Ullagaram-Puzhuthivakkam are in sight.
Difficulty in sourcing drinking water has been one of the problems. Unlike the neighbouring Nanganallur, which gets Palar water, this area has been witnessing a major water scarcity, with borewells sunk up to a depth of 500m yielding little water. The water available through some borewells are not good enough for drinking, say residents. In some streets, the groundwater levels have dropped so much that deep boring into the well does not provide water.
Against this dismal backdrop, Metrowater work is going on in full swing and is expected to be completed by September 2015.
According to Metrowater sources, “under the Ullagaram-Puzhuthivakkam water supply scheme, being executed at a cost of 22.42 crore, six overhead tanks and six underground tanks are being laid in areas such as Annai Terasa Nagar, Mandaveli bus stand, M.G. Nagar, Arul Jothi Salai, Usha Nagar and Anna Salai. The length of water connections in these areas runs to 90 km and around 54,000 people will benefit from the scheme.”
A trial will be held from October to December this year, the sources said, adding that residents can start applying for separate connections from January 2016. Nearly 80 per cent of the connection works have been completed and officials will go about checking the condition of pipelines soon.
Venkatesan, a long-time resident, says, “Metrowater has been our dream for years. Right from 2011, we have been expecting this to happen. Now, at last, it is going to happen and we are feeling happy about it and don’t mind the inconvenience caused by the trenches dug up for the work at various stretches.”Overflowing sewage is another problem. It is witnessed in several streets, due to open canals. The answer is the ongoing Ullagaram-Puzhuthivakkam underground sewerage scheme. The scheme, being carried out at an estimated cost of Rs.34.10 crore, will have three pumping stations and a sewer main measuring 69,327 metres.
This project is expected to be completed in November this year. The pumping stations are constructed at Ravanan Nagar, AG’s Colony and Throwpathi Amman Koil Street. Construction work is almost complete and whitewashing the building and installation of equipment are the only works that are pending.
