Chennai, July 19 (IANS). The Tamil Nadu government has started the process of conducting independent environmental and social audit of 28 major water supply and underground sewerage projects being implemented in 21 urban local bodies of the state. Along with this, a dedicated study on manual scavenging and hazardous sewer cleaning practices will also be conducted as part of improving urban infrastructure.
These projects are being implemented under the Tamil Nadu Climate Resilient Urban Development Programme. This is a six-year program run with the assistance of the World Bank, which will run from 2024 to 2030.
The programme, approved by the World Bank in December 2023, aims to strengthen water security in the state, increase resilience to climate change and modernize urban governance.
Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited, the implementing agency of the programme, has invited tenders for the appointment of Independent Consultant. This consultant will assess the compliance of environmental and social protection standards prescribed under the program by the urban local bodies and implementing agencies in the implementation of projects during the year 2024-25.
The scope of the audit covers four categories of infrastructure projects. These include seven underground sewerage schemes with only sewer collection networks in Salem, Tuticorin, Karaikudi, Tiruvarur, Krishnagiri, Theni and Avadi. Besides, seven underground sewerage projects including sewage treatment plants at Tiruvannamalai, Pudukottai, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Cuddalore, Dindigul and Kanchipuram will also be audited.
The review will also include the city-wide water supply improvement project of Kancheepuram and 13 pilot projects providing 24-hour water supply in Avadi, Karaikudi, Pudukottai, Tiruchirappalli (Tiruchi), Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Erode, Vellore, Cuddalore, Dindigul, Tambaram, Nagercoil and Rajapalayam.
The consultant will classify the findings in his report into four categories compliance, non-compliance, best practices and areas requiring improvement. Wherever deficiencies are found, the projects will be re-inspected after corrective measures are implemented and the final report will be submitted only after confirming compliance.
An important part of this work will also be a comprehensive study related to manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning of sewers. The study will review the policy and legal framework related to sewer maintenance, identify shortcomings in its implementation by urban local bodies, and analyze situations that lead to risky sewer entry. Additionally, past incidents will be investigated through field visits and interviews with officials, contractors, and sanitation workers.
Apart from this, the existing standard operating procedures (SOPs), training programs and safety measures being adopted in the entire process of sewage management will also be reviewed.
Under this three-month process, a preliminary compliance report will be submitted within two weeks. After this, a draft report will be prepared for review by the implementing agencies and the World Bank and finally the final report will be submitted.
–IANS
SAK/DKP
