After nearly a decade, a conduit line that remained damaged may soon start carrying water from Red Hills lake to Kilpauk Water Works for treatment and distribution to city residents.
Work is progressing at a fast pace to reconstruct the line, which is part of the three huge conduit lines, considered the backbone of the city’s water distribution network.
Though the project was started two years ago, it was delayed due to several hurdles, including crossing the junction of arterial Inner Ring Road. The three 10-km long pipelines built during various years are some of the earliest infrastructure created to treat and supply drinking water to one-third of the city’s population.
The oldest among the three huge conduit lines was constructed with brick masonry by the British in 1914. While the other two pipelines are used to transmit water, the one built in 1986 collapsed a decade ago and is being reconstructed as a twin concrete channel to regulate water supply.
Chennai Metrowater has taken up the work in the 5.1 km portion of the conduit line where the damage is severe. Sources in the Metrowater said the damaged brick masonry is being replaced with a nearly 4-metre wide box channel in the stretch between the intake tower of the Red Hills reservoir near Surapet and Rajamangalam near Villivakkam.
230 million litres a day
Once the Rs. 39-crore project is completed, the conduit line would have a capacity to carry 230 million litres a day. Huge machinery is involved in constructing the channel and inspection chambers near Rajamangalam. “We are planning to use box pushing technology beneath the Inner Ring Road without hindrance to the traffic. The road is a vital connectivity to other States like Andhra Pradesh,” said an official.
On the encroachments on the conduit lines on New Avadi Road, officials said these huge pipelines run underground with only inspection chambers visible at some points.
But, as they now run along thickly populated areas, they are prone to encroachments and misuse. While it has not affected the water flow to the Kilpauk water treatment plant, steps would be taken to address encroachments. The project is expected to be completed by April-end or May.
Work is progressing at a fast pace to reconstruct the line, which is part of the three huge conduit lines, considered the backbone of the city’s water distribution network.
Though the project was started two years ago, it was delayed due to several hurdles, including crossing the junction of arterial Inner Ring Road. The three 10-km long pipelines built during various years are some of the earliest infrastructure created to treat and supply drinking water to one-third of the city’s population.
The oldest among the three huge conduit lines was constructed with brick masonry by the British in 1914. While the other two pipelines are used to transmit water, the one built in 1986 collapsed a decade ago and is being reconstructed as a twin concrete channel to regulate water supply.
Chennai Metrowater has taken up the work in the 5.1 km portion of the conduit line where the damage is severe. Sources in the Metrowater said the damaged brick masonry is being replaced with a nearly 4-metre wide box channel in the stretch between the intake tower of the Red Hills reservoir near Surapet and Rajamangalam near Villivakkam.
230 million litres a day
Once the Rs. 39-crore project is completed, the conduit line would have a capacity to carry 230 million litres a day. Huge machinery is involved in constructing the channel and inspection chambers near Rajamangalam. “We are planning to use box pushing technology beneath the Inner Ring Road without hindrance to the traffic. The road is a vital connectivity to other States like Andhra Pradesh,” said an official.
On the encroachments on the conduit lines on New Avadi Road, officials said these huge pipelines run underground with only inspection chambers visible at some points.
But, as they now run along thickly populated areas, they are prone to encroachments and misuse. While it has not affected the water flow to the Kilpauk water treatment plant, steps would be taken to address encroachments. The project is expected to be completed by April-end or May.