Municipalities upgrade infrastructure in low-income settlements

The Hindu

20-06-2025

A major revamp of public utilities across low-income settlements is under way in the town and suburbs as the Oulgaret and Puducherry Municipalities have stepped up investments in various civil works under the Union Government's Cities Investments to Innovate Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) Challenge programme.
Around ₹ 34 crore was being spent by both the municipalities to improve internal road infrastructure, construct LPG crematoriums, renovate dhobikhanas, construct drains, strengthen storm water drains, upgrade cremation and burial grounds, construct community toilets and parks under their limits.
While the Pondicherry Municipality has taken up works to the tune of around ₹ 17 crore for various projects including construction of LPG crematoriums at Mudaliarpet, Sanniyasithope and Dhobikhanas, almost same amount had been incurred by Oulgaret in improving roads at Jeevananthapuram, Pavanar Nagar, Nesavalar Nagar, Lambart Saravana Nagar and parks at Reddiyarpalayam areas.
The Oulgaret municipality had also constructed LPG crematoriums at Pavazhakaranchavady, Shanmugapuram and upgrade burial ground at Mettupalyam. 'Many of these projects have been completed and others are nearing completion. In a few days, some of these projects will be thrown open to public. Some of the projects like construction of LPG crematorium and renovation of Dhobikhanas have been pending for a long time. Completion of these projects, especially the road infrastructure and construction of park at Pavanar Nagar, will certainly have an impact on the living condition of people in low-income settlements in the town,' a senior official told The Hindu.
Many of the new roads are concrete and provided with drains. Storm water drains are also being strengthened which will contribute to preventing floods during rains. The crematoriums and burial grounds are provided with pollution control equipment, compound wall, solar LED lights, water supply facility, pathway and a green cover in the premises, the official said.
'As far the new LPG crematoriums are concerned, they are provided with two chambers. Incineration is through LPG burners placed in primary and secondary chambers. The gases and suspended matters coming from the primary chamber will be re-incinerated in secondary chamber to reduce the suspended matter in the smoke. A self-supporting 30 m high chimney has been provided taking into account the norms prescribed by Pollution Control Board,' he said.
CITIIS Challenge was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as a component of Smart City project in 2018. Puducherry was one among the few regions selected by the Ministry to implement sustainable urban infrastructure projects in low income settlements in the country.
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