Coimbatore Corporation proposes underground drainage project to meet future demands
Coimbatore, Aug 13
The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation has prepared a Detailed Project Report for an underground drainage network covering Kalapatti, Vilankurichi and parts of Saravanampatti at an estimated cost of Rs 824 crore.
The proposal has been submitted to the Directorate of Municipal Administration for approval. The corporation is finalising the cost estimate and completing preliminary work for the project, which is intended to improve sanitation in several newly added and developing parts of the city.
The proposed network will cover areas in the north and east zones that remain outside existing underground drainage schemes.
At present, the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board is carrying out drainage works in Saravanampatti, Thudiyalur, Kavundampalayam, Vadavalli, Veerakeralam and Vellakinar.
The project has been planned on the basis of long-term population and sewage-generation estimates. The population in the proposed service area is expected to reach 1,30,264 by 2030, increase to 1,72,132 by 2045 and touch 2,24,999 by 2060. Daily sewage generation is projected at 13.37 million litres in 2030, 17.66 million litres in 2045 and 23.09 million litres by 2060.
Officials said the sewer network had been designed in accordance with the terrain to ensure systematic collection and transportation of wastewater.
The plan provides for 10 sewage pumping stations and five sewage lifting stations. Sewage collected through the network will be transported to a proposed treatment plant at Ondipudur.
The facility will have a treatment capacity of 17.66 million litres per day, with the treated wastewater proposed to be discharged into the nearby Noyyal River.
The scheme involves laying around 411 km of sewer pipelines and constructing 15,777 manholes. About 33,637 household sewer connections are expected to be provided. Once commissioned, the network will benefit residents of wards 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 21, 22 and 23.
CCMC Commissioner Katta Ravi Teja said the completed DPR had been forwarded to the Directorate of Municipal Administration.
He said the scheme would cover most areas left out of existing underground drainage projects in the north and east zones.
The corporation plans to seek financial assistance through the State Incentive Grant component of Central Finance Commission funds. Officials believe the project is essential for meeting future sanitation requirements as Kalapatti, Vilankurichi and Saravanampatti continue to witness substantial residential and commercial expansion.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good initiative, but I'm concerned about the Noyyal River. They say treated wastewater will be discharged into it. Is the treatment really going to be proper? The Noyyal has been polluted for decades and we don't want to make it worse. The corporation must ensure strict water quality standards are maintained. Jal Shakti Abhiyan has taught us the importance of clean rivers.
The population projections seem realistic - Kalapatti and Vilankurichi are growing like anything. 411 km of pipelines and 15,777 manholes is a huge infrastructure work. My only question is whether they've considered the existing road conditions. Laying pipes usually means digging up roads and creating traffic chaos for months. Hope they plan the execution well and repair the roads properly after.
I moved to Coimbatore from the UK a few years ago and this is exactly what the city needs to keep up with its growth. Underground drainage is something we take for granted in developed countries. It's great to see the civic body planning ahead for 2060 - that's proper long-term thinking. Will the treated water be suitable for agriculture use? That would be a bonus for farmers in the region.
Rs 824 crore is a lot of money. I hope there will be transparency in tenders and execution. We've seen too many civic projects in Tamil Nadu where quality was compromised or costs escalated. The Commissioner Katta Ravi Teja seems sincere, but the corporation must publish regular progress updates online. Citizens should be able to track the project status and raise concerns.
A Ananya R Great to see Kal We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.