Metro water pipe work in suburbs almost complete

Another encouraging factor is that the four major lakes - Chembarambakkam, Poondi, Red Hills and Cholavaram, that cater to the drinking water needs of Chennai city and its nearby areas also have enough storage. CMWSSB officials said that Metro water was already being supplied to some parts of the suburbs like Tambaram and Pallavaram through water tankers. Once the pipe work was completed domestic connections would be provided. According to sources, since Palar river remained parched, many of the southern suburbs were facing drinking water scarcity. 

Sources added that Palar river was the main water source to the suburbs and the demand has risen owing to depletion of groundwater table in the river. So, there was representation from various sections in suburban areas to CMWSSB for Metro water connection to houses. “We have been supplying Metro water to some suburb areas through tankers and now we are laying pipelines to cater to the newly added areas,” said a Metro water official, on condititon of anonymity.  Following the appeals several suburbs, including Puzhuthivakkam, Avadi, Alandur and Ambattur, have been brought under metro water coverage. 

Vouching the claims of the officials of CWMSSB, Mohan, president, Chitlapakkam town panchayat told DTNext “It is a fact that residents receive drinking water supplied by Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD) only once in five days. To mitigate the water scarcity, we have sent a proposal to CMWSSB seeking supply of Metro water to our area.”  He added that they had also approached for drawing water from Chembarambakkam lake.