Chennaiites let down by private suppliers too

“Once booked, we have to wait for more than 20 days to receive lorry water from Metrowater. To manage the water needs during the delay, I have been utilising private tanker services. Earlier, we would get water on the same day. Now, it gets delayed for five days to a week,” K Senthil of Kodambakkam said.

When asked, K Selvaraj, south Chennai secretary of Tamil Nadu Private Tanker Operators Association, said that the delay is due to the unavailability of groundwater.

“Now, we are getting water from far away areas such as Tirukalukundram, Manimangalam and others. Apart from distance, we are flooded with more number of orders every day. Earlier, we have been supplying water to commercial establishments and apartments. Due to water scarcity, residents are also seeking water from us now. It is taking around one week to supply after booking,”he added. Meanwhile, the cost of private water has also been increased owing to demand and distance.

“Earlier, we were supplying 12,000 litres at Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200. Now, the cost has increased to around Rs 3,000. The cost hike is due to transportation charges and difficulties in getting groundwater,” he said.

The association has a meeting on Thursday to discuss a strike of private tanker lorries across the state.