Nandivaram locals plan protest for drinking water

Nandivaram, located in Guduvanchery town panchayat, consists of 18 wards and is the home to nearly one lakh residents. According to locals, the area was getting water from the Palar river till about 15 years ago. When the water supply from the river stopped, they began receiving water from the Perumatunalur lake, before that was also stopped.

Residents charged the town panchayat officials of not supplying water to the last five wards on the western side. The situation is worse in Arul Nagar, Kamatchi Nagar, Sirpi Nagar, Priya Nagar and Kanniyapa Nagar. In 2014, the panchayat officials had placed a RO water tank and two bore well tanks in the locality. But the residents claimed that none of these tanks were in a usable condition for last six months. Former Councillor S Kumaravel said that the wards 14-18 were neglected by panchayat officials. “The situation in the 18th ward is really bad. The residents have to spend more than Rs 100 for water every day. Though they are not supplying water, the officials are collecting water tax from us without any delay,” he said.

“We cannot even wash our children’s the school uniforms. Seeing the opportunity, water can rates have also increased,” said Karthika from Kamatchi Nagar, another resident.

Residents said that they had asked the panchayat officials several times in the past but no action was taken. Because of this, they are planning a huge protest. When contacted, the town panchayat Executive Officer P Ravi said steps to dig a new bore well cannot be taken now because of the model code of conduct that is in force after the election dates were announced. “After the election, the water problems will be resolved,” he assured.