The Hindu 05.05.2010
Works for UGD project begin in Erode
Staff Reporter
| Sewers to run for 504.4 km; total project cost Rs. 209 crore |
— Photo:M.GOVARTHAN 
Infrastructure Development:Works for the underground drainage project are on at Periya Semur in Erode.
ERODE: Works for the much awaited underground drainage (UGD) project of Erode Corporation have begun in the town recently.
Apart from covering all the parts in Erode town, the project will also cover the abutting local bodies, which will soon be merged with the Corporation. Sewers will run for 504.4 km and the project will have 12 pumping and 10 lift stations to cover Soorampatty, Kasipalayam, Veerappan Chatram and Periya Semur municipalities and Erode Corporation.
The Corporation had planned to execute the work in five phases. But only two of the five phases, Phase – I and Phase – III, have been taken up for implementation initially. The Phase – I covers wards in Erode Corporation, Soorampatty municipality, Kasipalayam municipality, Veerappan Chatram municipality.
The Phase – III covers wards in Periya Semur municipality and wards in Veerappan Chatram Municipality.
While the Phase – I is estimated to cost around Rs. 59 crore, the Phase – III will cost around Rs. 39 crore. The Corporation will lay sewer lines to a length of 189.45 km in Phase – I.
Corporation sources said that steps had been initiated to commence the works listed in the remaining three phases as well. One of the major works in these phases is the construction of a sewage treatment plant with a capacity to treat 61 million litres a day.
The sewage discharge from the four municipalities and the Corporation is over 40 mld. If implemented, the project will enhance the sanitary conditions in the town, which is now facing a number of problems due to the open sewer channels.
The total project cost is Rs. 209.22 crore, of which Rs. 71.14 crore is loan and Rs. 62.77 crore is grant from a German funding agency. The Corporation's and peoples' contributions for the project add up to Rs. 61.89 crore.
