Learning lesson from recent drought, TN approves project for restoration of Chennai’s waterways
Total Views |
Chennai, Aug. 24: Chennai faced massive drought this summer. In spite of heavy rains, Chennai suffered extreme drought. Taking important and strong steps to rejuvenate Chennai’s waterways, Tamil Nadu government launched a scheme worth of Rs. 2,371 crore to mitigate and plug sewage flow into the Adyar, Buckingham Canal and Cooum river at a project cost.
As per the official report, about 170 million liters of untreated sewage flows every day into the city’s three major waterways.
Taking the initiating leap, the Tamil Nadu government passed orders sanctioning Rs 1,001crore for the first phase of a project. The funds will be provided to Metrowater to build new sewers, treatment plants, and pumping stations, besides improving existing infrastructure to restore the city's three major waterways, Adyar, Cooum and Buckingham Canal.
As per the official statement, Under the 1st phase of the plan, 260 million liters of sewage will be recycled and reused as water for various purposes in Chennai and its surroundings. In the 2nd phase costing Rs 1,370 crore, the inadequacies in the sewage infrastructure will be addressed in a comprehensive manner.
The government order stated, With these initiatives, the sewer network will be strengthened from the collection system to the final point of treatment. This will ensure that the entire sewage generated shall be collected and conveyed to Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) for treatment and safe disposal.
Majority of the implementation of restoring the rivers has been taken up by departments such as Metrowater, Greater Chennai Corporation, Public Works Department, Commissionerate of Municipal Administration, Directorate of Town Panchayats, TN Slum Clearance Board and Department of Rural Development in the project areas while Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust is entrusted with coordinating and monitoring the projects.
While announcing this project, Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami said, “The scheme will be implemented from 2019 to 2023 at a cost Rs 2,371 crore”.
He also added, blocking sewage from flowing into the rivers, diverting it, constructing sewage treatment plants wherever possible, improving drainage facilities in the city are some of the works that will be carried out under the scheme.