The Tiruchi City Corporation has intensified efforts to complete the long-pending underground drainage (UGD) project in several areas where pipeline installation works had remained stalled under Phases II and III of the project.

The Corporation is implementing the UGD project in 45 wards under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme and the Smart City Mission through three components — Phase II, Phase III and the revamping project.

Phase II, launched in 2018 at an estimated cost of ₹377.29 crore, covers 24 wards and has seen the installation of 285.7 km of pipelines. Phase III, being implemented at a cost of ₹425.72 crore, extends sewage coverage to around 16 wards through the installation of about 302.2 km of pipelines.

According to officials, around 99% of pipeline-laying and house service connection works under Phase II and about 97% under Phase III have been completed. However, the remaining works have delayed the overall completion of the project. After several revisions to the deadline, the Corporation is now working to complete the project at the earliest.

Officials said pipeline-laying works in certain pockets of Cantonment, Crawford and Bheema Nagar had been suspended owing to various challenges, including rocky subsurfaces, delays in shifting electricity poles and damage to drinking water pipelines.

“Some of the interior streets were left out due to these challenges. Now that the problems have been resolved, work has resumed. Contractors have been instructed to expedite pipeline installation in the remaining stretches before the onset of the monsoon. Roads will be restored after the pipeline works are completed,” an official said.

The civic body has also stepped up other pending works, including the laying of pumping mains, the construction of manholes, and the provision of house service connections. Officials said all remaining works are expected to be completed and the project commissioned by August.