The Tamil Nadu government is set to implement underground sewerage projects worth Rs 3,360 crore across 14 municipal corporations under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme. This initiative is part of a broader push to upgrade urban infrastructure and ensure universal access to essential services like water supply, sanitation, and sewerage.

Cities in Tamil Nadu such as Tirunelveli, Vellore, Dindigul, Salem, Cuddalore, and Nagercoil will benefit from this large-scale sewerage expansion. The project includes laying over 3,000 km of underground sewer pipelines and installing new sewage pumping stations. This will enable more than five lakh households to transition from septic tanks to a centralised underground drainage (UGD) network.

Officials from the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department stated that the work will commence within a month and is expected to be completed in about two years. “Deadlines vary by corporation. The UGD network will also help prevent pollution of local rivers,” a senior official noted.

Statewide, more than 60 urban local bodies have received AMRUT 2.0 project approvals totaling Rs 14,688 crore, with Rs 4,942 crore from Central assistance.Launched in October 2021, AMRUT 2.0 aims to bring comprehensive improvements to urban living.