The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Coimbatore News : Coercion' to pay for sewer scheme resented

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 30, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Coercion' to pay for sewer scheme resented

Staff Reporter

COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore Corporation's maiden attempt at private participation in basic amenities seems to have run into resistance. Not all the 41commercial establishments identified to fund the replacement of an old sewer line on Arts College Road seem keen on the project. Sources in the Corporation say only a few have responded so far. Many others feel that the amount they have been asked to pay is too high. For nearly a decade the underground sewer line sprang a leak often, resulting in sewage flooding the road. A number of hotels, book stalls, a shopping complex, a college and the Combined Court Complex are located on this stretch.

Abuse of sewer

Targeted by the public for the inconvenience caused by the problem, the Corporation last year hit upon the idea of involving the sewerage users in replacing the worn out line. The Corporation sold the idea of public participation arguing that since the establishments used the line and many had caused the damage they should pay for the replacement.

Instead of restricting the project to this road alone, it roped in some more establishments on Race Course Road, including a hotel, as the line began from that area and extended up to Tiruchi Road through Arts College Road. After showing interest in funding, traders on Arts College Road are now upset with the `huge' sums the Corporation has asked them to pay for the Rs.1.58-crore project. The Coimbatore Consumer Cause (CCC) has faulted the Corporation's approach asking why book stalls that did not even have a toilet should pay. "Another office which has only one toilet has been asked to pay Rs.38,841. When it is not used much, the charge demanded seeks to suggest that such small establishments discharge huge amount of waste into the drainage." The secretary of the CCC, K. Kathirmathiyon, says bigger establishments such as hotels and hospitals should be asked to pay more. "Why should a shop that does not even have a toilet pay?" With many buildings having come up over the last three decades, the old line had proved to be inadequate. "We pointed this out to the Corporation in 2000 and called for a solution. But, unfortunately, it has chosen to demand money from the public." Official sources point out that public contribution in infrastructure creation is not a new concept. Deposits and monthly user charges are to be levied under the proposed 168-crore underground drainage scheme for three zones in the city. However, traders on Arts College Road point out that they had been asked to fully fund the replacement of the sewer line.

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