Reopen defunct water plant: Pallavaram residents

A purified drinking water unit was set up by the municipality using MLA fund in 2015 to benefit the residents of the area. It was set up at a cost of Rs 10 lakh at Venkatraman Nagar 11th street. However, the facility was closed down shortly and it has remained so for the past two years. Pallavaram residents have urgedthe authorities concerned toreopen the facility as it was very helpful for them as long as it operatedfrom there.

The water unit was used by most of the residents as purified drinking water was available for them at no cost. The community, which mostly consists of middle-class families, could avoid buying bubble top water cans and thus save money.

In 2018, the water purifier malfunctioned. However, officials did not take any steps to repair the facility, residents said. “We had many requests but there was no response from the officials. The unit had been locked for the past two years. The only use of the facility is that its compound walls provide a surface to stick posters and advertisements,” said Pramila from Pallavaram.

She added that the residents were affected by severe water scarcity past summer. “Though we had requested the authorities to reopen the facility, we did not receive a proper reply. Later, they assured that the unit will be reopened in January but there is no sign it till now,” Pramila said.

Residents also alleged that some anti-socials were cutting off the pipes from the unit and selling them for scrap. “The municipality should not delay the reopening as the welfare of the residents is depended on it,” said another resident.

When contacted, Pallavaram municipal engineer Ravichandran said that they are planning to repair it before summer. “Soon, the work will get started and people can get the purified water very soon.”