Illegal groundwater tapping ends in south suburbs

According to the officials, a stern warning has been issued to private tanker lorry owners. The water tankers were allegedly extracting water from various sources, including Nanmangalam lake, Moovarasampet lake and Sembakkam lake.

The president of Nallappa Street Residents Welfare Association, M Sreedhar, said, “It has been two days since private tanker lorries extracted groundwater in our area. They were indulging in the operation even during the daytime. After we complained several times to the authorities concerned, we have found a respite only now.”

However, the residents cast doubt over its immediate benefit as Pallavaram and its neighbouring areas are facing an acute water crunch. “This time, the water problem is worse. Already the groundwater level has gone below the minimum. The move is not going to benefit us immediately. May be, we will see a difference in the long run,” said another resident.

Since June, the tankers were operating without any break. The residents were purchasing water all these months, he added. Residents receive water once in 20 days for a span of 20-30 minutes. This time, the officials had no other option but to crack thewhip against the violators as minor protests were witnessed in various localities in the past couple of months.

An official attached to the RDO said, “We acted on the public complaints received in the last few days alone. Though we have not seized any vehicle this time, a warning has been given to the violators. More stringent action will be taken against the illegal extraction in future.”