The Hindu         15.06.2012

Project reports for water supply network in city's added areas by August

Residents of many merged areas who have to now manage with groundwater and private water resources as they do not have a proper water supply network, may soon get one.

Chennai Metrowater is set to complete detailed projects reports for a comprehensive water supply and sewerage network for the expanded city by August.

While some municipalities such as Valasaravakkam and Alandur, which have come under the ambit of the city, already have the network, work is still progressing in Ambattur, Madhavaram, Pallikaranai and Ullagaram-Puzhuthivakkam.

Metrowater has now turned its focus on the 31 other town and village panchayats that are counting on the water agency for better infrastructure. Though the water agency is currently supplying 80 million litres a day (mld) to the newly added areas, this is not sufficient to meet the needs of the people.

R. Suganthi of Kathirvedu, said, “I rely on water from the well and a few pots that I manage to fetch from the street taps. It is very difficult to manage. In summer, I buy packaged drinking water. Private tankers charge nearly Rs.1,000 for a trip.”

Detailed reports for the projects are being prepared simultaneously under the Chennai Mega City Development Mission. The projects are estimated to cost about Rs.800 crore for providing water supply and Rs.1,200 crore for the sewerage network. Areas to be supplied with water and sewerage connections include Nolambur, Nerkundram, Manali, Puzhal, Nandambakkam, Kottivakkam and Puzhal.

The projects envisage a bridging of the existing inadequacies in infrastructure and improving the health and sanitation of residents. Metrowater statistics reveal that the demand for water in the expanded city is nearly 1,1130 mld whereas the water agency is supplying only 830 mld.

Officials said that 80 per cent of the water demand would work out to be sewage generation. The water agency is taking into account parameters such as the area's population demand for water, local sources, existing infrastructure and land available, in the preparation of the project reports. Following this, Metrowater will begin identifying funding agencies.

The schemes being formulated at present are for a projected population in 2044. “We are aiming to cover the entire expanded city with water and sewer connections in three years”, an official said.