Ambattur sewerage project drags on

CHENNAI: When work on the Ambattur underground sewerage project began in 2004 it was estimated that it would be completed at an estimated 39.6 crore. By 2012, the cost had jumped to 70 crore and the project wasn't even half done. Since its launch, the project has been plagued by delays.
Former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in September 2014 inaugurated the Korattur terminal pumping station, a part of the sewerage project.A month later, newly-laid roads around the station were dug up for repairs, say residents who have been troubled by the seemingly endlessly work on the project.
"The 25{+t}{+h} and 61{+s}{+t} streets around the pumping station have been cut open at least five times," said Kalaiselvi, a resident. Another resident added that authorities took about three months before closing a dug-up road. "Then they will dig it again. The repairs have been endless."
Metrowater officials said roads were dug to replace old underground pipes that had burst due to excess pressure exerted by the sewage flowing through them.
The sewerage project faced criticism by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in 2012 for delay and mismanagement. According to the CAG performance audit, what began as a 39.6 crore scheme in 2004 escalated to nearly 70 crore by 2012.
After getting a 1,350-crore World Bank loan for the third Tamil Nadu Urban Development Project (TNUDP III), the state sanctioned the project in 2001 to the Ambattur municipality, largest in the state until it merged with Chennai Corporation in 2011.
While Phase I was handled by Ambattur Municipality, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), or Metrowater, handled phase II.
Phase I, including construction of a collection system, sub-pumping stations and house service connections, was entrusted to Nagarjuna Constructions Company Limited (NCCL) in September 2004. It was to be completed by November 2007 for 21.37 crore. In November 2007, Phase I was foreclosed as NCCL completed only a portion for 9.83 crore.
The rest of Phase I was taken over in September 2009 by Metrowater which again awarded the contract to NCCL for 41.31 crore. Phase I is still incomplete.
Phase II work began in July 2003 and involved setting up a terminal pumping station at Karukku and a pumping main to Kodungaiyur sewage treatment plant (STP). Due to delay caused by Phase I, the pumping station planned at Karukku was shifted to Korattur and Kodungaiyur STP was shifted to Koyambedu STP.