UGD works in Salem to be completed by 2027, says Corporation Commissioner

The underground drainage (UGD) works that began successful 2024 successful Salem metropolis volition beryllium completed successful different 2 years, said Salem Corporation Commissioner M. Elangovan, successful effect to the demands from governmental parties and residents to implicit the works soon.

The Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, done a authorities bid issued successful February 2006, announced that UGD works volition beryllium implemented successful Salem metropolis astatine a full outgo of ₹149.39 crore. This magnitude includes ₹78.85 crore from the Corporation money and nationalist contribution, a indebtedness of ₹60.54 crore from the Tamil Nadu Urban Development Project (TNUDP) and a ₹10 crore authorities subsidy. The works, which were divided into 3 phases, lasted for much than 15 years, owed to galore issues, including ineligible disputes. However, the Corporation was accused of nonaccomplishment to screen galore areas and of incomplete works.

Following this, successful 2024, the civic assemblage announced UGD works erstwhile again to screen the remaining areas. This work, divided into 4 packages, is ongoing. 

K.C. Selvaraj, the AIADMK whip successful Salem Corporation, said that the civic assemblage planned to supply UGD transportation for 432 km but has lone completed 60 km. Without completing the works, the Corporation is demanding the residents to wage the UGD deposit amount. “How tin the residents wage the magnitude without availing themselves of the facilities? The enactment is progressing astatine a dilatory gait and the Corporation should springiness much value for the same,” helium said.

Mr. Selvaraj besides alleged that the tender for the 3rd and 4th packages were not opened yet. Without completing the UGD works, roads cannot beryllium laid. Once a roadworthy is laid, it could not beryllium dug for 3 years. “It shows that the Salem Corporation volition not implicit the works for years,” helium alleged.

The Commissioner said that arsenic galore arsenic 15,750 houses person already received UGD connections. The enactment that started successful 2024, astatine a full outgo of ₹548 crore, volition beryllium completed by 2027. The task is aimed astatine providing UGD connections to 68,000 houses. The tender process for the 3rd and 4th packages volition commencement successful a week. Through the earlier UGD works, halfway areas successful the Suramangalam, Kondalampatti, and Ammapet zones were covered. Works are nether mode to screen the outer areas of these zones, helium added.