Archive · 9 Aug 2025
Chennai to Replace 40-Year-Old Sewer Lines for Rs 946 Crore
Imagine Chennai's underground pipes are like old, rusty roads for waste.
They're too small and break easily.
Now, the city is building new, bigger pipes to fix this!
It's a big project costing almost a billion rupees.
These new pipes will go under many neighborhoods like Royapuram and will help over 20 lakh people.
They're also adding new machines to help the waste flow smoothly.
This is meant to stop sewage problems and make everything cleaner, but there's a little bit of worry if the money is enough for the areas where it is needed the most!
Chennai Metrowater is replacing 40-year-old sewer lines in the northern parts of Chennai.
The Rs 946-crore project aims to upgrade 213 km of sewer lines, benefiting over 20 lakh residents.
Larger diameter pipes (400 mm) will replace the existing 200 mm lines to handle increased sewage.
The project includes odour control systems, new pump sets, diesel generators, and maintenance access points.
The project is expected to be completed by June 2026, with some work already underway.
- Who
- Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Metrowater).
- What
- Chennai Metrowater is replacing old sewer lines.
- When
- Completion expected by June 2026, with some work already underway.
- Where
- Northern parts of Chennai, including Royapuram, Tondiarpet, and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar.
- Why
- To address sewage issues like reverse flow, blockages, and breakages.
Concern over Funding and Scope
Project Implementation
Funding Allocation
Concern over Funding and Scope
A local MLA expressed concerns that the allocated funds might not be sufficient for all necessary areas, specifically highlighting Kasimedu and Tondiarpet where lines are over 30 years old.
Project Implementation
The project is underway in key neighbourhoods.
- Project Cost
- Rs 946 crore
- Sewer Line Length
- 213 km
- Beneficiaries
- Over 20 lakh residents
- Pipe Size Upgrade
- 200 mm to 400 mm
- Completion Date
- June 2026
- Project Name
- Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam