CHENNAI: Aimed at making Thamirabarani free of pollution and arresting the flow of untreated sewage into the river, a main drinking water source, the Tirunelveli Corporation is fast-tracking the underground sewerage system proposed at an estimated cost of `890 crore, its Commissioner S Sivasubramanian told the southern bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) here on Wednesday.
Appearing before the bench, he said the sewerage in existence in Tirunelveli could treat only 20 percent of sewage generated. As much as 80 percent of 48 million litres drawn by the civic body per day to cater to the water needs of 4.76 lakh people is turned into sewage.
Though the Corporation passed a resolution on December 24, 2014 for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to extend the underground drainage coverage to all areas in its limits and appointed a consultant and later prepared the DPR estimating the cost at `890 crore, financial constraints put the project in the backburner. But now the project has been set in motion.
“The financial position of the Corporation is not so sound to meet the cost. Hence, it has been planned to implement the project in three phases,” the commissioner said in his status report submitted before the tribunal.
Under Phase I to be implemented at a cost of `350 crore, the areas west of the river would be provided with sewage connections measuring up to 235 km. The major contamination inlets would be plugged, thus completely preventing the entry of raw untreated sewage water into the river. The proposal has been submitted to the Central Government seeking funds under AMRUT and from ADB and the work would be completed within two years after getting due permission, the official said.
Phase II and Phase III would be carried out at an estimated cost of `320 crore and `340 crore respectively with financial aid from the central and state governments. The completion of Phase I would see 75 per cent of the thickly populated habitations covered by UGD. The official also pointed out that 2,990 households have been provided with toilets under SWM.