Undue delay in getting the Public Works Department (PWD) nod for constructing a pump house for the five added wards of Tiruchi Corporation in Kattur and Tiruverumbur areas has raised concern among residents.
The project, which is to be implemented at an estimated cost of ₹63.70 crore, is aimed at supplying 135 litres of drinking water per head to residents of 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 wards in Tiruverumbur, Kattur and adjoining areas.
The residents of the areas, which were added to Tiruchi Corporation, get just 40 litres of water per day at present. The Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board continues to supply water as before the merger of the areas with Tiruchi Corporation.
Once completed, Tiruchi Corporation will take over the responsibility of supplying drinking water to residents from TWAD. As per the plan, it will be executed in three phases such as construction of head works, construction of reservoirs (overhead tanks) and laying of mains and distribution lines.
Tiruchi Corporation chose a spot at the north end of the Cauvery near Melur to construct a pump house for the drinking water project.
Although construction of reservoirs and laying of mains and distribution lines have been progressing well, the head works, which are part of the third package, are yet to be started as the Corporation is still awaiting PWD nod to carryout construction activities on the Cauvery.
According to sources in the Corporation, the proposal was sent to PWD in Chennai about a year ago. A high-level committee, which will study the proposal, was expected to meet in May or June and give its nod that is mandatory to carry out construction works across the Cauvery.
An ordeal
Expressing concern over the inordinate delay in getting the nod, residents of Tiruverumbur and Kattur say they face inadequate and erratic water supply and will have to undergo the ordeal for at least two more years.
“The current water supply is highly insufficient to meet our requirements. The new scheme alone will solve the problem. Hence, the Corporation should expedite the project,” says J. Wilfred of Kattur.