Two centenaries in Mylapore/Santhome

Two centenaries in Mylapore/Santhome The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board is marking a century of service at its pumping station on P.S. Since its inauguration in 1924, the facility has played a vital role in delivering potable water to the bustling neighbourhoods of Mylapore and Santhome. As the city continues to expand, the station’s legacy underscores the enduring importance of infrastructure that supports daily life, public health, and economic activity in one of India’s oldest urban centres..

In 2024, the station’s centenary celebrations were held against the backdrop of a city that has seen rapid transformation. The Board’s chief engineer, Dr. Anil Reddy, highlighted that the facility’s original design, conceived in the pre-independence era, has been repeatedly upgraded to meet modern standards of efficiency and sustainability..

“We have preserved the historical essence while integrating cutting‑edge technology,” he said. The pumping station, located in the heart of Mylapore, has witnessed the evolution of Chennai’s water supply network from a small municipal system to a comprehensive metropolitan grid. In the early years, water was pumped manually from the river, and the station’s mechanical components were powered by diesel engines..

Over time, the Board introduced electric motors and automated controls, reducing operating costs and increasing reliability for residents. One of the key features of the celebration was a guided tour of the station, which revealed a blend of colonial architecture and contemporary engineering. Visitors were able to see the original brass piping that once carried water to the city’s first municipal hospitals..

The Board also displayed a timeline of technological milestones, from the introduction of centrifugal pumps in the 1950s to the latest variable speed drives that enhance energy efficiency. The centenary event was attended by local politicians, water experts, and community leaders, all of whom stressed the importance of maintaining and upgrading ageing infrastructure. Vijay Kumar, a council member from the Santhome constituency, noted that the station’s longevity is a testament to robust design and diligent maintenance..

He added that future plans include expanding capacity to accommodate the projected increase in Chennai’s population over the next decade. The Board’s annual report, released during the ceremony, indicates that the station currently processes over 50 million litres of water each day. This capacity supports not only residential consumption but also industrial operations and public institutions such as schools and hospitals..

In an interview, the Board’s director of operations, Meena Patel, explained that the station’s resilience has been tested during extreme monsoon floods and drought periods, with no significant loss of service. In line with global trends, the Board announced a partnership with an international consultancy to implement water‑harvesting techniques and reduce the station’s carbon footprint. The project will involve retrofitting the existing infrastructure with solar panels and rainwater capture systems, aiming to cut energy consumption by 15 percent over the next five years..

This initiative aligns with Chennai’s broader climate action plan, which targets a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The centenary celebrations also honoured the staff who have served the station over generations. Long‑time worker Aravind Natarajan, who joined the Board in 1965, shared anecdotes of how the station adapted to the city’s growing needs..

“We were a small team, but we worked as a family,” he recalled. His story highlighted the human element behind the technical achievements, underscoring the collective effort that keeps the city hydrated. Looking ahead, the Board plans to digitise its operations further, introducing real‑time monitoring dashboards for water quality and pressure..

This digital transformation is expected to enhance fault detection and reduce downtime, ensuring uninterrupted supply during peak demand periods. By combining heritage with innovation, the station exemplifies how legacy infrastructure can evolve to meet contemporary challenges. As the celebrations drew to a close, Dr..

Reddy reflected on the station’s journey, saying, “A hundred years of service is more than a milestone; it is a reminder of our responsibility to future generations.” The centenary of the P.S. Sivaswami Salai pumping station marks not only a historical achievement but also a commitment to sustaining Chennai’s vital water supply for the years to come..