Underground drainage works under way at Crawford in Tiruchi.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Tiruchi Corporation has once again extended the deadline for commissioning Phases II and III of its underground drainage (UGD) project, with officials now expecting to put the systems into operation by September.According to officials, preparatory works are under way to ensure that the sewer network functions smoothly after commissioning. Manholes are being cleaned of accumulated rainwater, gravel and silt to prevent clogging and blockages in sewer lines. Damaged manholes are also being repaired, while blockages in the newly laid sewer network are being cleared.“All lifting stations and pumping stations are being checked, and trial runs are being conducted. This is a huge project covering almost the entire city, and we want to ensure that everything is in proper working condition before commissioning,” said Veer Pratap Singh, Corporation Commissioner.Under Phase II, implemented at a cost of ₹377.29 crore, the UGD network fully covers 19 wards and partially covers five wards. Pipelines covering 285.7 km have been laid, and 36,469 house and commercial service connections have been provided through the newly installed UGD chambers.The phase has six sub-pumping stations and 37 lifting stations, with all works completed. Of the 11,076 manholes under Phase II, around 8,000 have been cleaned so far as part of the pre-commissioning exercise.The Phase III project, taken up at a cost of ₹425.72 crore, fully covers four wards and partially covers 12 wards. The phase has a sewer pipeline network extending 302.2 km and 38,061 service connections. It comprises six sub-pumping stations and 24 lifting stations.While, the project, implemented under the Smart City Mission at an estimated cost of ₹210 crore, fully covers 14 wards and partially covers 13 wards. It includes 177 km of pipelines and 31,368 service connections.Across the three phases, the Corporation has so far provided about 82,000 house service connections. Around 24,000 connections are still pending, and residents have been asked to submit applications to obtain their house service connections.Meanwhile, work at the sewage treatment plant (STP) is under way and expected to be commissioned by September. The civil works have been completed, and machinery has arrived from abroad. Electromechanical works are under way, with about 20% of the work completed so far. Around 250 workers have been engaged in the STP works, the official added. Published - August 25, 2026 06:46 pm IST
