While it is evident that the whole city has been facing water scarcity, News Today speaks to residents to find out how the neighbourhood has been affected.
“Between 2006-07, under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme, Rs 67 crore was sanctioned to replace the old CVC water supply pipes and to increase the number of overhead tanks from seven to 13 in Pazhavanthangal. Low-lying and tail-end areas were greatly benefitted by the project back then and the distribution were even without causing hassles,” said Peoples Welfare Association secretary and a Lakshmi Nagar resident, V Rama Rao.
According to him, there were a total of 825 streets in Alandur Municipality, out of which 83 streets were left out in the scheme. When the residents took the matter to Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), it was stated that they would carry out the project at a cost of Rs 13 crore, however, he said the officials have not initiated anything yet.
In one instance, the residents of Lakhsmi Nagar are supplied with water every alternate days, the ignored streets in Pazhavanthangal receive the resource once in four days.
Speaking about the issue in Adambakkam, Parthasarathy Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association treasurer, Sugumar A, said, “Since the past one month, the lorries fill the tanks for every five days once. At our homes, it flows for around 30 minutes in taps. There should be at least 2,000 people in the 11 streets and we have been approaching officials and MLA to take measures.”
To manage the scarcity, the residents relied on ground water in addition to metro water, however, as the source started depleting, people are finding it difficult to meet everyday needs.
Kesari Nagar, another locality in Adambakkam has also been facing a shortage for six months. About it, Kesari Nagar Welfare Association secretary, E P Arutperum Jothi, said, “While the supply has been limited to once in three days, and in particular, the residents in First, Second and Third Streets are facing severe brunt as they receive only meagre quantity due to infrastructural issues.”
Several people have voiced out their concern on this matter and recently MLA T M Anbarasan represented them and hosted a meeting with CMWSSB who assured of speedy solution.
There has been a request to meet the scarcity by bringing Alandur Zone under Nemmeli desalination plant coverage, placement of 100 tanks and 20 hand pumps.