Kil-Visharam sees ‘men alone’ protest for drinking water

VELLORE: Wednesday night witnessed the strange spectacle of men with pots blocking the Visharam-Arcot road demanding provision of drinking water.

According to P Irfan, Ranipet district treasurer of TMMK, “residents of Kil-Visharam, an extension of Mel-Visharam municipality did not receive drinking for the last ten days. Though we had approached the local councilor and also the municipal chairman there was no response. We also approached the municipal commissioner in charge from whom also we received no response and so having no other alternative we staged the road roko.”

Though the agitators dispersed following police who rushed to the spot assuring them that supply would be resumed soon, Irfan said they had not received any supply.

“This forces the poorer sections of the area to buy bottled water which they can afford only for a day or two and not for days at a stretch,” said Hamid an affected resident.

However, what galled the affected locals was that the Palar river, which abuts their town, has water flowing on one side.

“However, sources revealed that four streets where Muslims resided were the most affected. Vathiyar street did not receive water for ten days,” they added.

When asked Municipal Chairman ST Amin said “there is no major drinking water issue in the local body. Residents of one area alone agitated as they did not receive water due to a breakage in the supply line which was now being looked into and would soon be set right. We are in the process of implementing a major drinking water project which when completed would ensure daily supply to all 21 wards in the municipality.”