Urban News

This resolve was announced at a review meeting, which saw participation of officials from the Corporation and Metrowater, along with ward members and political party representatives, here on Wednesday.

Metrowater managing director Rajesh Lakhoni assured to take corrective measures to restore the sewage network of the metropolis.

Lakhoni said that Metro water has finished desilting operations up to 250 km of sewer mains.

With increasing complaints of sewage blockages from 10 zones of the city and lack of adequate jet-rodding machines, Lakhoni informed that Metrowater has planned to double the number of shifts to operate the 59 jet rodding machines to tide over the crisis.

He said that the department has also planned to procure 17 more machines to clean up the sewers. Desilting operations would be carried out on some bus routes during night.

He conveyed the councillors that Metrowater was planning to expand the capacity of its 15 pumping stations for which the work would begin in December. Barricades would be put up at work sites.

Lakhoni sought permission from Mayor M Subramaniam, who was chairing the meeting, and Corporation Commissioner D Karthikeyan, for road-breaking to carry out work to provide water connections.

The Mayor said that although there was a ban on road-breaking, effective till December 15 in the wake of the monsoon season, some exceptional cases may be considered.

Metrowater also agreed to coordinate with the Corporation on property tax assessment.

Sources said Metrowater would share the list of advance cess paid for water connections with the Corporation to help recover unpaid property tax.