Lakes full, but no potable water in suburbs

P Viswanathan, Convener, Chitlapakkam Residents Association Coordination Committee (CRACC) said, “We are facing water scarcity, though all the water bodies in the city have good storage. As of now, we are getting drinking water from TWAD and they supply water only once in 10 days and that too for certain areas.”

Residents want authorities to replenish their supply with water drawn from Chembarambakkam and other lakes. “It is the town panchayat which should take the necessary steps to supply drinking water either through tankers or pipes regularly,” said other CRACC members. 

According to the residents, despite submitting a number of petitions, the authorities concerned were indifferent. Many felt that unless suburbs like Chitlapakkam are brought under city limits, their problems may not be handled on a priority basis. Mohan, president, Town Panchayat, Chitlapakkam admitted that residents receive water supply once in five days. “However, we have sent a proposal to CMWSSB for Metrowater supply,” he said. 

When DTNext spoke to the concerned authorities on the issue, a Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) official, speaking on condition of anonymity said, “We cannot take any decision with regard to this issue, but we supply water in some parts of suburbs.” He also clarified that only the government can consider extending Metrowater supply to the suburbs.