MADURAI: The Madurai city corporation has intensified efforts to improve the flow of underground drains (UGD) and canals across the city by hiring advanced mechanised equipment on a rental basis.
According to corporation officials, several UGD pipelines in core localities are decades old and are frequently clogged due to silt and debris accumulated, resulting in sewage overflow during heavy rainfall. Areas such as Sellur and other densely populated neighbourhoods have been particularly affected in the past.
Although major desilting and cleaning works were carried out before the monsoon, officials said that additional measures are required to address the persistent blockages in ageing drainage infrastructure.
The corporation has floated special tenders to hire a high-flow super sucking and jetting machine with dirty water recycling capability, along with a robotic excavator for Rs 88 lakh.
While the corporation owns a regular cleaning vehicle, officials noted that addressing deep-seated blockages and thoroughly cleaning UGD lines requires specialised equipment. As part of the initiative, a recycling machine will be hired for 70 days, totalling 560 hours of operation at a cost of Rs 47.88. The machine will be used to desilt UGD lines and recycle dirty water.
In addition, the corporation will also rent a robotic excavator for 75 days, amounting to 600 hours of operation, at a cost of Rs 40.62 lakh. The equipment will be deployed for cleaning and desilting open drains, nallahs, and canals.
Officials said the special initiative aims to prevent waterlogging and sewage overflow during the monsoon and ensure smoother drainage across the city.
The cleaning works will also cover 16 major canals flowing within the corporation limits, they added.
“The corporation could have used such machines ahead of monsoon for better cleaning of the drains to prevent clogging and stagnation issues in many low-lying areas in the city,” A Anbarasan, a resident of K Pudur, added.