A high-power committee headed by the Commissioner of Municipal Administration on Tuesday cleared the package-I of phase-II underground drainage (UGD) project to be implemented in Tiruchi city.
Though the Tiruchi Corporation opened the tender for the package-I, three bidders had quoted more than the estimated cost necessitating the corporation to refer the tender details to a high-power committee in Chennai for approval. They quoted about 10% more than the estimated cost. The committee that met in Chennai on Tuesday approved a bid that quoted lower than other two bidders. Package-I will be implemented at a cost of ₹215 crore.
The work is taken up as part of the ₹344 crore project, sanctioned under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). The cost is divided between the Centre, State and Tiruchi Corporation in 50:30:20 ratio. In order to avoid inconvenience to residents in the project areas and speedy implementation of the work, the project has been divided into three packages. Of them, construction work on package-II began in July, 2018 at a cost of ₹73.48 crore.
Sanjeevi Nagar, AUT colony (Woraiyur), Fathima Nagar, Vekkaliamman Nagar, Cauvery Nagar, John thoppu, Devathanam, Ananda avenue, Dharanallur (North), Pichai Nagar, Viswas Nagar, Mahalakshmi Nagar, Akilandeswari Nagar, Natharsha Pallivasal, Maris Avenue, Friends Enclave, Raja Colony, Ammaiyappa Nagar, Geetha Nagar, Annamalai Nagar and Jayam Nagar are among the residential areas that have been included in the phase-II of UGD project in the city.
Laying of sewer lines for 66.55 km and pumping mains for 12 km are part of package-II. Construction of 12 pumping stations and renovation of old sewage treatment plant are among the components. Several residential and commercial areas of 19 wards, which were omitted in the phase-I of UGD project, have been included in the phase-II project.
N. Ravichandran, Commissioner, Tiruchi Corporation, said that work order for package-I would be given shortly. Construction would begin within two to three weeks. Arrangements would be in place for reducing inconvenience to residents in the project areas.
As far as package-III was concerned, process would be expedited to complete the tender process. The approval of Asian Development Bank, which had inclined to fund Urban Local Body portion of the project cost, was expected anytime.
