Councillors oppose move to hike underground drainage scheme deposit

Tirunelveli Corporation faces challenges in implementing underground drainage scheme as councillors oppose deposit increase for sewerage connections.

Tirunelveli Corporation, which is implementing the second and third phase of the underground drainage scheme in hitherto uncovered areas in the city, has proposed to increase the deposit amount for sewerage connection to houses, while the councillors oppose the move.

 Chairperson of Melapalayam Zone Iqlam Fazila said executing underground drainage system in the cramped Melapalayam area would be tough as almost all houses that do not have sufficient space around for laying the underground drainage pipes would have to be dug up to connect the septic tanks in the rear portion of the houses.

 “Hence, an alternative and successful model should be explored. Only if a practical strategy is identified, we can implement the underground drainage system in Melapalayam area and then re-lay the roads dug for this project,” Ms. Fazila said.

 Councillor Ramzan Ali, who supported Ms. Fazila, cautioned that any “unplanned” implementation of the scheme in Melapalayam would be a failure.

 Chairperson of Thathanallur zone Revathi said the underground drainage work in her zone should be completed before the onset of monsoon so that the roads dug for the scheme would be re-laid.

 Councillor Wilson Manidurai, who is also chairman of the Corporation’s works committee, expressed displeasure over the small number of workers being deployed by the contractor for the ongoing underground drainage work. “It will only prolong the work and the trauma of the public as well,” he said.

 Commissioner N.O. Sukhaputra said he had a convened a coordination meeting of corporation officials, the contractor’s representatives and the road contractor for ensuring better coordination among them and early completion of the project.