Metrowater out of loop with Chennai’s growth

The city’s population is booming but Metrowater’s projects don’t seem to have kept pace. Most pipes are old and rusty, and the extended areas are yet to get connections. Though the population of the city grew by leaps and bounds over half a century, it was only in 2012 that the agency began replacing 2,300km of pipelines.
Metrowater is working on three large infrastructure projects — renovation of water tanks, replacement of pipelines, and the mega city development mission.Most lines in the older city limits were laid in the 1960s, and have not been replaced since. Metrowater said cast iron pipes have a life of 100 years, but does not seem to take into account problems like rusting links between pipes, which cause water contamination, and increase in population and demand for water making these pipes too small. “Metrowater has always come up with ad hoc solutions for repair and maintenance,” said S Janakarajan, professor at Madras Institute of Development Studies. “Lack of adequate funding is one reason,” he said. “The minute Rs 60 crore was released under JNNURM, work began.”
Until September 2012, 650km of pipelines were replaced, but Metrowater has refused to provide further updates on the project.
In 2012, funds were also released to lay new pipelines in the extended areas. After Metrowater laid water and sewage pipelines, the corporation was to build ducts around them and lay roads on top. In July, Metrowater said 40% of the work was complete but refused to provide further updates.
“None of their projects are completed on time,” said M G Devasahayam. “Chennai has good water resources — reservoirs, lakes, ponds, rivers and adequate rainfall — yet we beg for Veeranam water because water has been mismanaged for more than 30 years,” he said. “Metrowater is always fighting water shortage and sewage.