The Times of India                26.09.2013

Trichy corporation to impose fine on buildings without drainage link

TRICHY: Trichy corporation on Wednesday passed a resolution to impose fine on people who fail to link their buildings' sewage connection to existing underground drainage (UGD) in some parts of the corporation limit.

But, the corporation has remained silent about when it would equipped entire area with UGD to free its people from stinky atmosphere.

As per the new resolution, the corporation insisted that all the houses and buildings should have UGD connection within 30 days from the date of implementation of the new rule, failing it would attract a penalty of Rs 5,000. The penalty would be doubled if the connection is not made in the next 30 days, and the drinking water connection would be disconnected.

Likewise, the corporation have fixed a penalty of Rs 250 , Rs 1,000 and Rs 3,000 for those, who mix sewage water with rainwater canal, in the areas where UGD is not in place. Those who fail to pay the penalty will be subjected to judicial action. The corporation also insisted the people to have proper septic tank so that they need not let out the sewage water.

However, the corporation is yet to notify the date from which the new rule will come into effect.

The corporation further said measures to prevent mixing of sewage water to rainwater canal, which connects Uyyakondan irrigation canal and Cauvery river, have been introduced.

The corporation found rampant violation of linking sewage water into rainwater canal. As of now, 40,580 UGD connections have been made in the 46 wards, where the UGD in some areas are in dilapidated conditions due to old age.

While welcoming the corporation's move to prevent water pollution, councillors also questioned the corporation administration about the strps to equip UGD in the entire corporation area of 65 wards. Replying to this, city engineer R Chandran said it would be done soon, and added that duplication line of UGD will be laid out in Royal Road, Rockins Road and some other parts at an estimated cost of Rs 309 crore to replac it with the old and damaged UGD pipes.

Some of the councillors objected to the penalty amount saying that it would a burden to the people, who were not provided with better infrastructure. In this regard, DMK floor leader M Anbazhagan has appealed to the mayor to implement the new rule from January 1, 2014.