Implementation of a plan to provide 24x7 drinking water supply in the city is likely to be delayed further.

It was one of the long-pending schemes of Tiruchi Corporation. Since it had an installed capacity of more than 150 MLD of water from the sources on the riverbeds of the Cauvery and the Kollidam, the civic body planned to introduce a scheme to supply 24x7 to the residents. A sum of ₹38.49 crore was allotted to the scheme under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). The project is funded through contributions of ₹11.54 crore from the Centre, ₹10.39 crore from the State government, and ₹16.56 crore from the Tamil Nadu Urban Development Fund (TNUDF).

The pilot scheme covers Ward Nos. 51 to 56, including areas such as Cantonment, Railway Junction, Ponnagar, Jaya Nagar, Viswas Nagar, Karumandapam, and IOB Colony. It was proposed to supply 19.51 million litres per day (MLD) of drinking water to a population of 1,25,902 residents.

According to sources, it was proposed to cover both domestic and commercial connections under the pilot scheme, with smart meters being installed along with new connections. So far, around 7,000 household connections have been provided, and connections are being extended to residents in Jaya Nagar Extension and Krishnan Kovil Street.

Laying of water pipelines for 100.69 km, installation of ductile iron pipelines in various areas including McDonalds Road, Melapudur and Marasingpettai, construction of a new overhead tank with a capacity of five lakh litres at Nakshatra Nagar were among the components of the project. Installation of smart meters to the households and establishing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to digitally monitor the drinking water supply was among the important aspects of the project.

It was expected that the project would be commenced before March. However, the work of various components of the project is still ongoing.

When contacted, Corporation Commissioner L. Madhubalan told The Hindu that about 80% works on the project had been completed so far. Steps were taken to complete all works as early as possible. The commissioning of the project was not possible in summer as the priority was to ensure regular supply to the residents. It might be possible in October or November. Officials had been given instruction to complete all works so as to commission the project in the north-east monsoon season.