Pipeline laying works under way near Mettupalayam Road under the 24/7 drinking water supply project in Coimbatore city.
| Photo Credit: S. Siva Saravanan

Coimbatore Corporation is set to expedite pipe-laying works along roads maintained by the Highways Department in the city, as part of the 24/7 drinking water supply project implemented by Suez. The project, being implemented in 60 wards, is carried out at a cost of ₹646.71 crore.

Suez has nearly completed the installation of pipelines in the interior areas of the city. There were reports that the Corporation had taken over the work on Dr. Krishnaswamy Road from the firm, citing negligence and delay. However, officials have denied this claim.

“All the works, including those on highways and main roads, are being carried out by the firm. We have instructed them to speed up the work,” said an official from the Corporation’s Engineering Department.

At present, pipes are being laid on Mettupalayam Road and near the Kikani School junction. “Around 750 metres of pipeline is to be laid between the Avinashilingam University junction and the Chinthamani junction, which falls under the Highways Department. Since the North Coimbatore flyover underpass lies on this stretch, underground installation is not feasible in that section,” the official said.

In this portion, the pipeline will be laid above the ground through the garden maintained by the Corporation beneath the flyover. It will then enter the Highways Department premises before being laid underground again towards Chinthamani junction. The pipeline on this stretch is among the largest in the project, with a diameter of 800 mm and a length of 5.5 metres. Excavation for such pipes requires large trenches, often encountering utility lines such as telephone cables, which slows progress, the official added.

Once this stretch is completed, the pipeline will be connected to Dr. Krishnaswamy Road, crossing Chinthamani junction. Roads will be re-laid once testing is completed, which is expected within a month.