Underground drainage (UGD) projects in several parts of Coimbatore are gathering pace, with works progressing in uncovered areas of the city. Coimbatore Corporation officials said most of the projects are expected to be completed within the next one to two years.

Among the largest projects under implementation is the UGD scheme for Vadavalli, Veerakeralam, Kavundampalayam and Thudiyalur, covering 12 wards fully and parts of five wards. The estimated cost is ₹935.92 crore.

The project was designed based on a projected population of 2.39 lakh in 2020, rising to 3.16 lakh in 2035 and 4.16 lakh in 2050. Daily sewage generation has been estimated at 28.29 MLD in the base year, increasing to 37.31 MLD by 2035 and 49.18 MLD by 2050.

Officials said both packages of the project have achieved around 65% progress.

In Vadavalli and Veerakeralam (Zone 5), the project has been divided into 14 sewerage sub-zones. It involves laying 230.233 km of sewer pipelines, constructing 8,737 manholes and providing 24,969 house service connections. Sewage collected through two pumping stations and seven lifting stations will be conveyed to a 15.43-MLD sewage treatment plant proposed near the Chokkampudur crematorium.

Of the proposed sewer network, 135.2 km has been completed, representing 66% progress. A total of 6,610 manholes, or 76% of the target, have been completed, while 10,677 house service connections, accounting for 43% of the total, have been provided. The main and subsidiary pumping stations and all 12 lifting stations proposed under the project have been completed.

In Kavundampalayam and Thudiyalur (Zone 7), the project comprises 298.944 km of sewer pipelines, 11,362 manholes and 42,576 house service connections. Sewage will be conveyed through pumping stations to a 19.49-MLD sewage treatment plant proposed at Kavundampalayam.

So far, 164.5 km of sewer pipelines, or 59% of the target, have been laid. Of the proposed 11,362 manholes, 7,614 have been completed, while 12,142 house service connections have been provided.

Together, the Zone 5 and Zone 7 projects will provide 529.177 km of sewer pipelines, 20,075 manholes and 67,545 house service connections.

Another project nearing completion is the UGD scheme for uncovered areas within the areas covered by the Ondipudur sewage treatment plant. The ₹185-crore project began in February 2024 and has since achieved around 95% completion.

Implemented in two packages, the project covers uncovered areas in Ganapathy, Gandhimanagar, Vilankurichi Road, Thanneerpandal, SIHS Colony and Ondipudur. It includes 134.80 km of sewer pipelines, 5,573 manholes, 23,066 house service connections, three pumping stations and three lifting stations.

In Zone 6, a separate UGD project is under way in Chinnavedampatti, parts of Saravanampatti and Vellakinar, covering eight wards. The project received revised administrative sanction for ₹318.90 crore in November 2023.

The scheme includes 202.039 km of sewer pipelines, 8,379 manholes and 16,090 house service connections. Sewage collected through three pumping stations and six lifting stations will be treated at a 9.75-MLD sewage treatment plant proposed near Chinnavedampatti Lake.

Work on the sewer collection system began in April 2024. Of the proposed 202.039 km network, 88.50 km has been completed. A total of 4,181 manholes and 4,575 house service connections have been completed. Two of the three pumping stations and all six lifting stations have been completed. Overall progress stands at 56%.

The project is expected to benefit 1.11 lakh people in wards 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.

Meanwhile, the UGD project for Kurichi and Kuniyamuthur under the AMRUT scheme has been completed. The project includes 390.19 km of sewer pipelines, 15 lifting stations and 10 pumping stations, with sewage to be treated at the Vellalore facility before being discharged into the Noyyal river.