Puducherry government's new plan tackles sewage issues

The Puducherry government is addressing the growing sewage management issue in the town. During a recent assembly meeting, several legislators discussed the problem of clogged sewer lines. They highlighted concerns about overflowing manholes and outdated sewer infrastructure. Independent legislator J Prakash Kumar noted that his constituency faces significant issues due to lacking equipment for desilting sewer lines. Another legislator, Nehru alias Kuppusamy, stated that many sewer lines are 40 to 50 years old, leading to problems in residential and commercial areas. Minister for Public Works K. Lakshminarayanan acknowledged these challenges. He mentioned that the government is conducting a project to scan sewer lines using advanced technology to identify blockages. A comprehensive sewage management plan is in development. To help fund this effort, the government plans to obtain ₹140 crore from the Asian Development Bank. This money will be used to replace old sewer pipes and repair damaged manholes. The Public Works Department has also acquired six high-tech machines for cleaning sewer lines. These machines, costing ₹2.5 crore, can efficiently clean manholes and sewer pipes by using high-pressure water. Additionally, plans are underway to purchase 19 more cleaning machines for use in the Oulgaret and Pondicherry municipalities. Together, these municipalities manage a sewer network spanning about 510 kilometers. The new equipment aims to prevent future sewage issues in the region.