Trichy residents, recently redeveloped arterial roads are once again being excavated, this time for the implementation of new drinking water projects. This development comes on the heels of the city’s efforts to repair roads damaged during the extensive underground drainage (UGD) project.
Despite previous patchwork attempts, which failed to restore the roads to their original condition, road users are now urging the urban local body to allocate funds for comprehensive road relaying. The Trichy Corporation has announced the installation of specialised valves to regulate pressure and flow as part of the revamped drinking water project and the 24×7 drinking water initiative in select areas. Under the District Metering Area (DMA) mapping, which involves classifying water distribution zones, these valves are being installed on key drinking water pipelines along Karur Bypass Road and Sivaprakasam Road in Thennur. These roads were among the few bus routes that had remained intact following the UGD project. However, the corporation’s plans extend beyond these routes. Similar valve installations are set for most of Trichy’s arterial roads, including Puthur, Woraiyur, Thillai Nagar, Vayalur Road, and Karumandapam. This has raised concerns about further disruptions to road traffic. Some of these roads will be fitted with reinforced cement concrete slabs to cover valve enclosures, allowing vehicles to commute over them, mitigating some of the anticipated inconvenience.
Previously, new roads in areas such as KK Nagar, Cantonment, Central Bus Stand, Big Bazaar Street, and Thennur suffered damage due to sewage blocks and pipe bursts in the drinking water network. The current installation of valves is now adding to the ongoing damage, exacerbating the situation. Road users are advocating for the proper closure and levelling of damaged roads to prevent heavy vehicles from getting stuck in pits. Additionally, roads that were excavated for repairs in the UGD and drinking water supply networks, including Warners Road, Williams Road, VOC Road, Major Saravanan Road, and Bharathidasan Road, remain unrestored, further contributing to the city’s infrastructure woes.
As the Trichy Corporation progresses with its water infrastructure projects, the challenge remains to balance essential upgrades with the need to maintain and restore road quality, ensuring minimal disruption for the city’s residents and commuters. The call for comprehensive road relaying is becoming increasingly urgent, highlighting the necessity for a coordinated approach to urban infrastructure development.
