Tamil Nadu - Salem   

Uninterrupted water supply demanded

For a way out: Councillors discussing water supply problems at the Salem Corporation council meeting on Friday.

SALEM: The problem of illegal tapping of water by commercial establishments and scores of other issues related to the drinking water distribution network of Salem Corporation were raised at the council meeting on Friday.

Dharmalingam (Congress) said a large number of commercial establishments in New Integrated Bus Stand and Sooramangalam areas were being given round-the-clock water supply, while residents were getting supply once in a week. The AIADMK members walked out of the council hall in protesting against the stone throwing incident at Pasumpon village.

Provisions were being made in the network to supply water 24 hours to several business establishments, including lodging houses and restaurants in the city, in connivance with the civic officials, he alleged. This had left a large number of residents to suffer as they were given water supply once in seven days, he added.

Denying the allegation, civic officials said that several issues in the water distribution network, including the issue of 24-hour supply found in a few parts of the city, had been sorted out. Dhanasekaran (PMK) wanted the civic administration to ensure water supply at least once in four days.

Leader of the ruling party P. Natesan appealed to the officials to solve the problems in the network and ensure uniform water supply to all parts of the city.

He asked the administration to continue its drive against encroachments. The illegal occupation of water carrying channels resulted in the flooding of several colonies during the recent rain.

Earlier, Mr. Dharmalingam said there were irregularities in the building plan approval process and tax assessment and collection system.

The officials had grossly failed to notice encroachments on civic body’s lands while giving plan approvals and assessing property tax.

Councillors wanted the civic body to establish a suitable mechanism to protect the reserve sites in all the layouts in the city. They wanted the civic body to step up mosquito control measures.

Corporation Commissioner K.S. Palanisamy said the Health Department had already stepped up disease monitoring in the city and no outbreak was reported.

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