The Hindu 28.01.2010
Tender for underground drainage to be floated
R. Krishnamoorthy
| Lines to be laid to a length of 25 km |
— Photo: M. Moorthy 
To go soon: An open drainage in the heart of Ariyalur town.
ARIYALUR: The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD) will shortly initiate the process of constructing underground drainage for Ariyalur town, according to district sources.
Since there was no bidder in the first tender late last year, a fresh tender is expected to be floated next month by the TWAD next month, it is learnt.
The project envisages construction of underground drainage lines to a length of 25 km, replacing about eight km of pucca (concrete) open drainage and the rest ‘kucha’ drainage in the Grade III Municipality.
As per the project, the sewerage will be discharged at Keezhapazhur where a drainage water treatment plant is to be set up. At present, the sewerage from the open drains are let beside the Chitheri tank on the outskirts of the town.
The project has undergone cost escalation at least twice. Currently, it is estimated to cost Rs.27.5 crore to cater to the urban population in the municipality area numbering around 30,000.
According to district sources, the project will benefit nearly 70 percent of the over 10,000 households. Underground drainage connections are meant for houses with tiled and concrete roofing, sources added.
Locals are looking forward to early completion of the project on the hygiene front. Open drainages have been the breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Underground drainages that were prioritised only for City Corporations in Tamil Nadu were extended to municipalities from the start of 2007.
