Chennai Metrowater chair sets March deadline for project tenders

Authorities in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, have urged municipal corporations to tender water projects under the government’s smart cities scheme by 31 March 2018, reports Times of India.

Greater Chennai Corporation said 12 municipal corporations have received clearance to implement 173 projects under the scheme, including 18 drinking water projects worth INR 6,508.73 crores ($958 million), and 18 sewer projects worth INR 4,757.60 crores ($700 million).

Chennai Metrowater chairman and Tamil Nadu cabinet member SP Velumani said that schemes at the stage of detailed project review must be ready for tendering by 31 March, with priority given to drinking water, sanitation, roads, and storm water drain projects.

Meanwhile, the cost estimate for a 150,000 m3/d desalination plant at Nemelli, on the outskirts of Chennai, is under review. It came in at INR 1,079.89 crores ($159 million).

Chennai Metrowater issued a series of tenders for the plant and a 40 kilometre conveyance system in November 2016, when the total cost of the project was pegged at INR 1,372 crores ($202 million).