The Hindu 17.11.2009
Centre’s nod awaited for underground sewerage scheme
Staff Reporter
| To be taken up in Upplam and Mudliarpet areas |
PUDUCHERRY: The territorial administration is awaiting approval from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to start the construction work to lay underground sewerage line in Upplam and Mudliarpet areas.
“We are awaiting approval from MHA to start the work. We are expecting it any time. Otherwise tenders have been floated. We need to give the work order once the approval comes,” Public Health Minister A. Namassivayam told The Hindu. The project was approved two years ago, he said, adding it was estimated to cost Rs. 203 crore in the initial period.
Since the work got delayed the project cost escalated to Rs. 280 crore.
The Ministry approval had been sought for the remaining sum of Rs 77 crore. The cost included construction of a treatment plant for the two areas and for the neighbouring places, Mr. Namassivayam said.
Expressing optimism that the entire area that comes under the municipal limits of Pondicherry and Oulgaret would have a proper underground sewerage system in the next two to three years, he said a few areas in Lawspet was left out because a proper site could not be identified for constructing the treatment plant.
“Once the site was identified we would complete the underground drainage work in Lawspet. We are still in the process,” he said.
After the completion of work in the Upplam and Mudliarpet areas, the government would take up the work in the Reddiarpalayam area.
