DINDIGUL
More than 100 DMK party cadre on Tuesday staged a demonstration in front of the Corporation office here, condemning erratic drinking water supply to several areas of the city.
Raising slogans against the State government, the protesters, led by DMK district secretary I.P. Senthil Kumar, handed over a petition to Corporation Commissioner A. Manoharan, demanding streamlining of drinking water supply and immediate completion of pipe replacement works.
The Commissioner said that confusion in drinking water distribution was due to the large number of zones and depletion of several water sources. At present, the corporation had 72 zones, and the Cauvery water project was the only source to meet the demand of all the areas.
Besides, water supply on a rotation basis delayed supply to all wards. Under Japan International Cooperation Agency drinking water project, the number of zones within the city limit was brought down to 16 to ensure uniform water supply to all zones at regular intervals, he said.
Already, replacement of pipes was in full swing. “We will complete the work by May-end. After implementation of the project, the city will not face water crisis,” Mr. Manoharan said.
When Mr. Senthil Kumar complained to the Commissioner that contractors did not refill the pits after laying pipelines, he said notices would be served on them and they would also be issued a severe warning.
On the complaint that some wards received water supply continuously for two days and others once in 20 days, he attributed the erratic supply to the use of motors to pump water. “People should stop using motors to draw drinking water. We have seized several motors in the city,” the Commissioner added.
Reacting to another complaint on collection of water charges, he said that the corporation was collecting deposits from residents. Water tax would be collected only after providing domestic connection and ensuring drinking water supply.
