Erode Corporation extends contract of outsourcing agency for water supply

With the tenure of the outsourcing agency for water distribution under the ₹484.45-crore Dedicated Water Supply Scheme (DWSS) of the AMRUT programme set to end on March 31, 2026, the Corporation has extended the contract by a few more months.

Under the scheme, raw water is drawn from the Cauvery river at Varadanallur in Bhavani Union and pumped through a 22.80-km transmission main to sumps at Suriyampalayam and VOC Park. Treated drinking water is then conveyed through 79 km of feeder mains to 46 existing overhead tanks and 21 newly-constructed tanks. From these, water is distributed through a 731.82-km pipeline network covering 60 wards within the civic body limits. The project aims to supply 135 litres per capita per day (LPCD) to residents.

The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board, which executed the project, has completed the trial run. However, frequent pipeline breakages and recurring motor failures, along with delays in repair works, have led to disruptions in water supply, causing public dissatisfaction.

Following this, the Corporation decided to take over the maintenance of sump and tank operations. As 137 tank operators, drivers, and cleaners are required for the operations, the work was outsourced to a private agency.

A senior Corporation engineer said that with Assembly elections scheduled this year, extending the contract period was necessary, as such decisions cannot be taken once the Model Code of Conduct comes into force. Accordingly, the contract has been extended by three to six months in various zones, for which ₹1.56 crore has been allotted.