The drinking project for the five wards added to the Tiruchi Corporation in 2010-11 is unlikely to be completed before June or July 2019 due to undue delay in starting construction of head works.
The project, which is to be implemented at an estimated cost of ₹63.70 crore, is aimed at supplying 135 litres of drinking water per head to residents of 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 wards in Tiruverumbur, Kattur, Pappakurichi, Ellakudi, Keezha Kalkandarkottai and nearby areas.
The Cauvery river bed near Melur is the source for the new water supply scheme. Construction of head works at an estimate of ₹.12.17 crore, construction of eight over head tanks and provision of additional water pumping mains for a length of 25.70 km at a cost of ₹18.43 and provision of distribution mains for 205.70 km at an estimate of ₹ 14.09 are some components of the project.
Construction of a collector well, installation of three motors including a standby for round-the-clock operation and construction of a footbridge across the river from the pump house up to Kambarasampettai for laying a main to bring water are also parts of the project.
As per the original plan, the project should have been completed before March, 2018. Even after six months, only 70% of works have been completed. Out of 8 overhead tanks, six have been completed. Construction of overhead tanks at Pari Nagar and Ganesh Nagar is still under way. Though laying of pumping mains along the Tiruch-Thanjavur highway and Tiruchi-Karur highway from Kambarasampettai was progressing at a fast pace initially, the works have been suspended due to objection from a line department.
Construction of head works, which is considered as a prime component, is yet to be started due to flow of water in the Cauvery. Though the Public Works Department had accorded its nod for head works, the corporation officials said that it was not possible to start the work until the Mettur dam was closed for the season.
The flow of water was likely to continue up to the second or third week of February. The works would be started only thereafter. It might take at least 4 to 5 months for completing the head works from February.
A senior official said that sincere steps had been taken to clear decks on laying mains along the highways. Head works would be initiated immediately after the closure of the Mettur dam. Steps would be taken to complete all works before June or July, 2019.
