A project to construct modular sewage treatment plants (STPs) along the Cooum, to prevent raw sewage from entering the waterway, has not made much headway.
Years after the proposal was conceived, Chennai Metrowater still awaits approval from various departments to start the work.
These plants of smaller capacity, planned in four areas along the river, need the approval of the Water Resources Department.
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Sources in Chennai Metrowater said approvals from other government agencies, such as the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Tangedco, could be obtained only if the WRD approved the design for constructing of the modular STPs.
The project is part of the Integrated Cooum River Eco-restoration Project that aims at cleaning the polluted river. The plants — of varying capacities, to handle raw sewage from 0.6 million litres per day (mld) to 10 mld — will come up along the river bank near College Road, Chetpet; near Choolaimedu railway bridge; Maduravoyal, near Poonamallee Bypass and Langs Garden Road. The idea behind the nearly ₹36 crore project is to intercept raw sewage through a pipeline and treat it at the STPs, before releasing it back into the river.
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Work in progress
The water agency has identified nearly 178 sewage outfalls in the urban portion of the river, between the mouth of the river and Koyambedu.
It is also engaged in laying pipelines in various locations to intercept raw sewage falling into the river, sometimes through stormwater drains.
While pipe-laying work is in progress in areas like Spurtank Road, Nungambakkam and Anna Nagar, the project has not taken off in stretches like near Napier park, Metha Nagar, Aminjikarai and NSK Nagar.
Issues such as delay in handing over land to Metrowater after eviction, permission from MRTS authorities for constructing sewage pumping stations and floating retender, were delaying the work, said officials.
Meanwhile, officials of the WRD said: “Changes were sought in the design of the STPs to ensure that they occupied lesser width of the river bank. We will provide the official written approval soon after scrutiny.”