Vellore Corporation begins linking of sewer lines

Vellore Corporation interlinks sewer lines for UGD system, aiming for completion by May, covering 60 wards in four zones.

The Vellore Corporation has begun the interlinking of main sewer lines that were built as part of the Underground Drainage (UGD) system.

The corporation officials said that the interlinking of new household connections to completed sewer lines is being done to check any leakages in the pipelines before full operation of the drainage services.

Around 90% of the UGD system within Corporation limits have been completed. “We have given an extension to the contractor to complete the remaining drainage work by May. Trials in new household connections and construction of pumping station works are currently being done,” P. Janaki Raveendran, Corporation Commissioner, told The Hindu. 

The multi-crore project, which was rolled out in 2019, especially from phase II work, comprises main sewer lines, pumping and lifting stations and sewage treatment plants, covering all 60 wards in its four zones.

A review meeting, led by Mayor Sujatha Anandakumar and Ms. Raveendran, discussed the progress of the drainage work and urged the civic body officials to complete the remaining work.

Divided into four phases, the project, which costs around ₹1,000 crore, covers 750 km of sewer lines, 16 pumping and lifting stations and two large STPs. In the first phase, sewer lines, pumping and one STP were built, covering 1-10 wards.

Currently, phase II and phase III work is being done to cover remaining wards at a cost of ₹600 crore with sewer lines having been laid for around 800 km within civic body limits. Most of the residential and commercial areas have been covered, taking into account the monsoon.