T’puram: More than 25-year-old sewer lines in several parts of the city are set to be replaced, with the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) planning to upgrade pipe diameters to accommodate rising sewage loads amid population growth and expanding residential development.The 11 proposed works cover several localities in the southern part of the city and include replacing existing pipes with larger-diameter lines. The replacement of older pipes with larger-diameter lines is intended to improve carrying capacity, while the associated manhole works will facilitate maintenance.Administrative sanction has been received for the project, and the tendering process has been initiated. KWA plans to begin work in Nov.“The tendering process is expected to be completed by Monday, following which labour and machinery will be mobilised. We hope to begin the work by the second week of Nov,” a KWA source in the sewerage section said.At Anil Nagar in Karamana, KWA has proposed upgrading a 150mm sewer line to 250mm and reconstructing damaged manholes. At Soorya Nagar and Sasthri Nagar in Aranoor, an existing 150mm line is proposed to be upgraded to 200mm, along with the construction of manholes.A similar upgrade from 150mm to 200mm is proposed at Sangeeth Nagar, including the Karur Vysya Bank by-road, S S Kovil Road and a branch road opposite President Bar in Thampanoor. At Thaliyal, the authority plans to replace a 150mm sewer line with a 300mm pipe and construct manholes. Another work involves relaying the sewer main with a 250mm pipe between Thampuranmukku and Miranda Junction.The project also includes replacing old and damaged sewer lines with larger pipes in Thamarabhagam, near Kumarapuram and Pattom. New sewer lines are proposed in branch stretches near Cotton Hill School at Vazhuthacaud. Sewer-network rehabilitation and manhole-related works are also included.Manholes are access chambers along underground sewer lines that allow workers to inspect the network, clear blockages and carry out maintenance. Damaged manholes may need reconstruction to ensure safe access and proper maintenance of the sewerage system.“Several of the existing sewer lines are more than 25 years old. The number of households in these areas has increased over the years, resulting in a higher sewage load,” a KWA source said.Around 5,000 families are expected to benefit from the proposed works, according to the source. The proposed upgrades are expected to strengthen sewer infrastructure in the identified neighbourhoods and address the additional pressure on the network caused by residential expansion.
