Pipeline work undermines Vaigai Road beautification project

Madurai: A three-kilometre pedestrian stretch along the Vaigai South Bank Road, from Kuruvikaran Salai to Viraganur, developed under the Smart City Mission, has been dug up for pipeline work under the AMRUT Mullaperiyar drinking water scheme, defeating the original purpose of the beautification project.

The Rs 84-crore riverfront initiative aimed to create a scenic, walkable public space. However, with pipelines being laid on the pavement instead of the road, residents and councillors say the project's core objective has been compromised.

Madurai MP Su Venkatesan criticised the decision, saying, "This road adds to the city's charm as it offers pedestrians a riverside walking space. In other major roads, pipelines were laid on the carriageway. Why make an exception here just because VIPs use it?"

Corporation officials defended the move, citing the road's importance for southbound traffic and dignitary movement. "We chose the pavement to avoid traffic disruptions," an official said. But the MP said the matter would be raised again with civic authorities.

Residents voiced similar concerns. "This was one of the last remaining walkable stretches in the city," said M Pandiyan of Kamarajar Salai. "Now it's narrower and poorly lit, especially unsafe after dark."

Traffic activist T Nageshwaran questioned the logic of the alignment. "The opposite side of the road has more space and is away from the riverbank. That would've been a better choice."

A senior corporation official admitted that rerouting the pipeline would now be difficult and costly. "Half the stretch is done. In some sections, we have laid it on the road, not the pavement. But in light of the concerns, alternatives are being explored," the official said.

Worker shortage delays AMRUT pipeline work, say minister, MLA

Madurai: The slow pace of the AMRUT drinking water pipeline project in Madurai has drawn criticism from Minister P Moorthy and Madurai South MLA M Boominathan, who raised the issue during the DISHA meeting on Wednesday.

They blamed the delay on a shortage of workers deployed by the contractor handling Package 5 of the project. "The contractor is underperforming. The corporation must act," said Moorthy, citing complaints from Madurai South and West.

Corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan said the contractor had already been penalised. "We recently held a meeting with them to speed up the work," she said.

Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore highlighted coordination lapses, noting that roads in areas like Thirunagar were relaid before underground work was completed. "They'll be dug up again within a year. This points to serious mismanagement," he said.

On overhead tank (OHT) construction, Vijayan said that only four of the planned 38 tanks had undergone water-holding tests, but most are expected to be ready by month-end.

MLA Boominathan added that progress stalled after the Chithirai festival and has not recovered. "Residents complain daily about either unrepaired roads or pipeline work dragging on," he said.