Lakshmipuram residents in Kolathur demand daily water supply
Currently, drinking water is supplied only three days a week, prompting residents to demand daily provision.
Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB)
CHENNAI: Residents of Rajan Nagar and Selvam Nagar in Lakshmipuram, Kolathur, have raised concerns over the failure of the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s (CMWSSB) to adhere to scheduled drinking water timings.
Currently, drinking water is supplied only three days a week, prompting residents to demand daily provision.
A Metro Water official told DT Next: “Lakshmipurm has 2,446 houses, with only 556 currently having drinking water connections. In May alone, 60 applications were received. However, 82 houses remain unconnected due to pending payments, though flexible payment options (1, 2, 3, or 10 instalments) are available to residents.”
Gowrishankar, a resident of Sapthagiri Nagar, said that the Metro Water took more than 10 years to construct the overhead water tank, though pipelines were laid several years ago. “But, we were not aware that Metro Water started supplying drinking water to the households. We always get several reminders to pay water/sewer taxes and charges through SMS. No intimation was given to us about the water supply. If they had informed us, we would have applied for the connection,” he said.
Expressing deep dissatisfaction with the service, one resident lamented spending nearly ₹60,000 for a connection six months ago, only to receive an unreliable supply. Despite initial assurances of two hours daily, water flows for only 1 to 1.5 hours on three designated days, often with low pressure. Furthermore, they reported excessive chlorination levels, forcing them to rely on expensive private water cans for drinking needs. They reiterated their demand for a daily morning and evening supply.
Explaining the current system, another Metro Water official explained: “Water is supplied three days a week to wards 30 and 33, drawn from an overhead tank with a 15 lakh-litre capacity (currently holding 14 lakh litres). Supply lasts 2.5 hours on scheduled mornings. Plans are underway to transition to a daily water supply, and implementation would happen soon.”
