Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Water Supply and Sewerage Board has roped in a Noida-based firm to provide consultancy service to ensure that the ongoing underground sewerage network project here is completed on time.

The firm will review the contractor's drawings along with data and suggest changes. The firm will complete the review and send its observations within a fortnight.

It will also periodically review the status of respective projects and file status reports, while also assisting the contractors in cases of hurdles. The firm has also been tasked with recommending the interconnection of the sewerage network.

The underground sewerage network project is ongoing four sewerage districts.

"The work in district one and two is nearing completion, while it is halfway complete in the third district. It is a huge project, estimated to cost about Rs 498 crore. The Noida-based firm will help achieve the milestones," said a board official.

At present, the city doesn't have any proper sewerage network. As a result, wastewater from households is discharged into rivers via the existing natural drainage channels, triggering fears different water-borne diseases.

However, the authorities are hopeful that this ambitious sewerage project will save human lives and maintain a healthy environment. The authorities are also constructing 34 pumping stations and six sewage treatment plants as part of the project.

"The development of an underground sewerage network is a conventional engineering practice. It ensures quality maintenance of infrastructure and healthy living standards. We are making all efforts to complete the project on time," said the official.