Kolathur neighbourhood set to get sewage connections after a decade

Cleared - mani
Chennai:The 10-year monsoon-time ordeal of Murugan Nagar residents in Kolathur is set to end, as about 300 households in the first three streets in the neighbourhood are set to get a sewage connection under the Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam (North Chennai Development Scheme).
When, a team of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) workers and contractors visited the neighbourhood two weeks ago and assured the residents that stormwater drain work would begin soon, the news was received with apprehension. But, the roads were dug up, and work started immediately. "The stormwater drain work is almost complete," said Nagendran T, a resident of Murugan Nagar.
The VCVT project in Kolathur is part of a ₹946.42 crore initiative aimed at upgrading old sewage and water pipelines across North Chennai. Of this, ₹231.25 crore is allocated for improving water supply, while ₹715.18 crore is dedicated to upgrading the sewer network. The project includes strengthening pipelines in Vada Chennai, installing new sewage pumping stations, and fixing long-standing sewer overflow issues.
With no proper stormwater drains or sewage connections all these years, the neighbourhood had become notorious for knee-level waterlogging during monsoon. Septic tanks used to overflow, leaving the streets smelling foul. Now residents are relieved that their long wait is finally over. S Venkatesh Kumar, another resident, said: "Our calls are finally being answered. With the new sewage connection, we won't have to deal with septic tank leaks anymore. Last year, during Cyclone Fengal, sewage leaked all over our streets. We just want this work to finish soon."
Ward 65 councillor Saradha K confirmed that sewage connection work started last week and assured residents, "The work will be completed by the end of February, and road relaying will follow in March."
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