Five years after the Trichy Corporation introduced model roadside rainwater harvesting structures in low-lying areas, a shocking reality has emerged. Most of these expensive installations are now either damaged, completely missing, or clogged with debris, rendering them useless for absorbing rainwater runoff.
The Failed Infrastructure Project
The ambitious project began in 2020 when the corporation earmarked 50 square feet in stagnation-prone stretches across several key areas. The initiative covered Cantonment, Thillai Nagar, Thennur, and Srirangam zones. Each pit was constructed at a substantial cost of ₹1 lakh and involved digging 4 to 6 feet deep before installing perforated PVC pipes extending 12 meters underground.
To protect these structures from waste accumulation, the corporation used gravel and reinforced cement concrete slabs. However, these protective measures have proven insufficient against the reality of urban waste management challenges.
Current State of Neglect
Today, the situation presents a grim picture of urban infrastructure maintenance. Except for two locations—Veereswaram in Srirangam and TVS Tollgate where the pits were properly integrated with the road—standalone rainwater harvesting structures across the city have suffered from poor maintenance.
In particularly alarming cases, such as Thillai Nagar and the Central Bus Stand area, the pits have completely vanished. Even the location boards marking these expensive installations have disappeared, leaving no trace of the significant public investment.
The primary issue identified is the dumping of waste and construction debris near the inlets, which has completely blocked water flow. This negligence has directly contributed to several areas becoming inundated during recent rainfall events.
Impact on Local Communities
The consequences of these failed rainwater harvesting systems have been severe for residents. Low-lying localities near Vestry School, the Central Bus Stand, Reynolds Road, and Thillai Nagar experienced heavy waterlogging and significant road damage during recent showers.
Residents from Thennur and KK Nagar have voiced additional concerns, noting that institutions and government properties lacking proper drainage systems or functional RWH structures are compounding the problem by letting excess water flow directly onto public roads.
A senior Corporation official has acknowledged the issue and stated that a comprehensive survey of all RWH locations will be conducted, with maintenance work to follow wherever necessary. However, residents continue to face the immediate consequences of this infrastructure failure with every rainfall.
