Repair works are underway to rectify a leakage in a major drinking water pipeline near Chettikulam in Perambalur district.

According to a press note, the leakage had occurred in a 500 mm diameter pipeline laid by the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage ( TWAD) Board near the Chettikulam–Sridevimangalam branch road, about 13 km from the Thenur pumping station in Alathur taluk.

Collector N. Mirunalini on Monday inspected the ongoing restoration works and instructed officials to complete the pipeline repair and relaying works at the earliest to ensure an uninterrupted drinking water supply to the public.

The pipeline forms part of the combined drinking water supply scheme being implemented by the TWAD Board to cater to the needs of Perambalur Municipality, Eraiyur SIPCOT and the Padalur Industrial Park.

Under the scheme, drinking water is proposed to be supplied through 58.90 km of pumping mains from the Thenur sub-pumping station. At present, Perambalur Municipality receives 3.25 million litres of drinking water a day at the rate of 70 litres per person.

Considering the increasing population, a separate drinking water scheme had been designed for the municipality. The population of the municipality is projected to reach 98,079 by 2055, with an estimated daily drinking water requirement of 12.34 MLD. The project also includes the supply of 1.65 MLD for Eraiyur SIPCOT and 2.20 MLD for the Padalur Industrial Park.

Under the scheme, water will be drawn from the Kollidam River at Nochiyam through a collection well and two infiltration wells. A total of 16.19 MLD of water will be conveyed to the 9 lakh litre capacity sub-pumping station at Thenur and distributed through existing and newly proposed storage tanks in Perambalur Municipality.

The scheme also envisages laying a 230.56-km-long distribution network to provide 14,706 household drinking water connections. The total cost of the scheme has been estimated at ₹345.78 crore, of which ₹265.49 crore has been sanctioned for Perambalur Municipality, ₹46.24 crore for Eraiyur SIPCOT and ₹34.05 crore for Padalur SIPCOT.

Nearly 92% of the works had already been completed, and the entire project is expected to be commissioned by June. Around 98,079 people are expected to benefit from the scheme, the press release added.