Pipe-laying works in limbo due to funds crunch

HYDERABAD: The laying of a five-km sewerage line from Liberty Junction to Nimboliadda, using a sophisticated trench-less technology is going at a snail’s pace, due to lack of funds.The work was taken under the National River Conservation Development (NRCD) for checking pollution of the Musi, at a total cost of Rs 76 crore. Under the project, it was proposed to transmit sewerage entering the river from 18 open nalas to the nearest treatment plants, before releasing it into the river. However, the works which began in 2009, has seen only a 2-km stretch completed in two years.  The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) officials said the work has been delayed due to payments to the tune of Rs 18-20 crore not being released to the firms undertaking the work. The project is being executed by M/s Vishwa Infrastructures and Services Pvt Ltd in a joint-venture with M/s United Gulf Construction Company-WLL of Kuwait.The Water Board decided to opt for the trench-less technology for laying of pipelines so as to reduce traffic hindrance to minimum. Officials said areas like Liberty, Hyderguda and Kacheguda are busy intersections and digging of roads would throw traffic out of gear. During construction, two holes are dug to a depth of 12 feet at a distance of 100 m to lay 1800 mm diameter pipelines. This technology makes pipe-laying more efficient and saves roads and sidewalks from any kind of destruction. Traffic can ply even as the work goes on.