The Times of India            30.10.2013

Tamil Nadu govt envisages Rs 22,227 crore underground sewerage scheme

CHENNAI: Indiscriminate disposal of sewage by urban local bodies may soon be a thing of the past. The Tamil Nadu government has prepared a detailed report for providing underground sewerage scheme in corporations, municipalities and town panchayats in the state, the cost of which is estimated at Rs 22,227 crore.

An announcement to this effect was made by municipal administration minister K P Munusamy in the legislative assembly on Tuesday. Munusamy was responding to Poompuhar MLA S Pavunraj, who urged the state to take up an underground sewerage scheme for Tharangapadi town panchayat in Nagapattinam.

The minister said the government faced difficulties in executing the underground schemes in various local bodies due to lack of land to set up treatment facilities. "The lands are not available. Even if we get, the aggrieved neighbours move the court and get interim injunction, thus halting the programme," he said.

Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board is implementing underground sewerage schemes costing Rs 900 crore in select district headquarters and towns with support from external funding agencies. The works are under various stages of execution in Tuticorin corporation and Namakkal, Ramanathapuram, Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri and Perambalur municipalities.