With falling water level in Vaigai dam, which has been hovering around 23 feet and 25 feet (against the maximum level of 71 ft) and low rainfall prediction by weathermen, Madurai Corporation has taken a series of steps to manage the drinking water crisis.
Keeping in mind the need to supply water to all areas for the next 60 days, a sum of ₹33.36 crore has been sanctioned as part of drought management scheme. In the first phase, ₹10.50 crore has been sanctioned to dig borewells in as many as 125 locations in zone 2 and zone 4 each. Technical sanction has also been given in this connection.At Melakkal, the Corporation maintains infiltration galleries through which water is being taken for distribution to different wards of the city. In addition to the existing three wells, two more are to be dug up at a cost of about ₹40 lakh.
Cremation yard
The Corporation has approved, with certain conditions, an appeal from the North Indian community members for establishing an exclusive space for them for cremation of bodies at Thathaneri burial ground.
A decision to this effect was taken at a special meeting chaired by Commissioner Sandeep Nanduri recently. According to the officials, who were part of the meeting, the authorities had received a representation seeking a space in the burial ground where the North Indian community people had offered to construct a compound wall, a shed and dig a borewell at an estimated cost of ₹30 lakh.
The meeting also decided to slightly expand the road leading to the Collectorate from Gandhi Memorial Museum as there were lots of people visiting the Poonga Murugan Temple now, the officials said.
With Chitirai festival approaching, the Corporation had earmarked about ₹75 lakh from general fund for arrangements to be made by Health and Engineering wings. With the funds, additional conservancy workers would be deployed in and around the temple, drinking water lines established, andtemporary public toilets constructed.
The Corporation had also planned to procure sanitary napkin incinerators for use by students studying in six Corporation schools. The machines would be installed soon at a cost of ₹1.77 lakh, they said.
