Chennai Metrowater has decided to pitch in to mitigate the severe water crisis due to the ongoing strike by private water tanker operators in the city. The water agency announced that affected consumers may get water from the Metrowater’s filling points during late night hours.
This follows an emergency meeting convened by the Municipal Administration and Rural Development Minister S.P.Velumani with officials of Chennai Metrowater to discuss the strike called by the private tanker operators.
The Minister had instructed the officials to provide tanker water supply to consumers such as hospitals, educational institutions, IT companies and large apartment complexes.
A press release said that the water agency has worked out a plan wherein consumers may purchase water at the Metrowater’s filling stations across the city between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily.
However, they would have to use their own or authorised lorries to procure water.
In a bid to avoid misuse of tanker trips, the consumers need to furnish a requisition letter with advance payment for one week.
Each lorry would be allowed to draw two loads daily. The water agency will consider providing additional loads of tanker supply based on demand.
At present, Metrowater has hired nearly 800 lorries to handle 6,250 loads daily. The water agency accords higher priority to street supply and domestic consumers who book water online. It is supplying 675 million litres of water on alternate days for want of resources.
