Velachery residents petition Chennai Metrowater to replace ageing pipelines
Recently, residents of Velachery submitted a formal representation to Chennai Metrowater demanding the implementation of a 24x7 water supply scheme and the urgent replacement of three-decade-old water and sewer pipelines. The petition aims to address the long-standing civic issues plaguing the neighborhood.
The residents have specifically requested an increase in the daily water supply from the current 14 million litres of water per day (mld) to nearly 18-20 mld. According to the representation, this boost in volume is necessary to enable tail-end areas of the neighborhood, such as AGS Colony, Andal Nagar, and Buwaneswari Nagar, to receive a sufficient and stable supply of water.
V. Sundar, a local resident of Velachery, explained that the underground water and sewer lines in the area were laid thirty years ago. Over the decades, these pipes have deteriorated significantly, leading to an erratic and inadequate water supply, particularly affecting residents living in the tail-end sections of the distribution network.
In addition to water supply improvements, members of the AGS Colony Welfare Association have urged Chennai Metrowater to prioritize upgrading the AGS Colony sewage pumping station. Since the pumping station is situated directly amidst residential developments, the association has requested the immediate installation of an odour control unit to mitigate foul smells.
Civic issues in the area also extend to frequent sewage overflows. Neighborhoods such as AGS Colony, Venkateswara Nagar, and Ram Nagar regularly experience these overflows. Geetha Ganesh, the secretary of the AGS Colony Welfare Association, stated that these sewage overflow incidents occur approximately once every two months, emphasizing the dire need for a complete replacement of the local sewer network.
Ganesh added that the association requested authorities to simultaneously change the old lines along with the implementation of the ring main distribution system to ensure equitable water supply across the region. Chennai Metrowater authorities have assured the residents that they will look into the issues raised in the representation.
