Chennai: North Chennai is set to witness a massive infrastructure upgrade with the replacement of 277 km of aging pipelines under the Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam (VCVT). The ₹946.42 crore project aims to modernize the city’s water and sewer networks, improving sanitation and preventing frequent disruptions in the water supply.
Project Overview
The project involves replacing 157 km of water pipelines and 120 km of sewer lines to address issues caused by 30-year-old pipelines that frequently burst, leaked, or failed to provide sufficient water pressure. The government has allocated ₹231.25 crore for water supply improvements and ₹715.18 crore for sewer system upgrades.
Key Developments
Some of the major planned works include:
✅ 1,000mm Cast Iron (CI) pumping main from Elaya Street to Kodungaiyur STP
✅ Strengthening pipelines in Tondiarpet and Kolathur
✅ Upgrading sewer mains in Depot 60 and 64
✅ Setting up a new roadside sewage pumping station at Broadway Road
These upgrades are expected to significantly improve sewage collection, prevent overflows, and enhance sanitation in densely populated areas of North Chennai.
Need for the Project
The existing pipelines, many over three decades old, have led to:
🚰 Frequent water supply disruptions
🚱 Sewer overflows and pollution
🛑 Low water pressure and defective pipelines
🚧 Collapsed manholes and sewer blockages
The replacement project will tackle choked water mains, broken sewer lines, and outdated infrastructure, ensuring efficient water distribution and better sanitation.
Implementation & Work Plan
The work has been divided into six packages:
Two packages for water pipelines
Four packages for sewer system improvements
Authorities have already issued work orders for Water Package II and Sewer Package IV, and preliminary surveys have begun in the designated areas.
Affected Areas & Public Cooperation
The project will benefit thousands of residents across several neighborhoods, including:
📍 Ennore (Area I), Muthumariamman Koil Street (Area III), Washermenpet, Tondiarpet, Royapuram, and Korukkupet (Area IV)
📍 Walltax Road, Thambuchetty Street, Chindatripet, Pudupet, and Seven Wells Road (Area V)
📍 Kolathur, Agaram, Perambur, Aynavaram, Pulianthope, Otteri, Perambur Barracks Road (Area VI)
Officials have urged the public to cooperate with temporary disruptions as the work progresses, ensuring a smooth transition to the new, improved water and sewer network.
💧 #WaterSupply #ChennaiDevelopment #UrbanSanitation #VCVT #InfrastructureUpgrade
