Residents of parts of Neelankarai have been facing disruptions in piped water supply for many days now after pipelines were damaged during the laying of the stormwater drain (SWD) network.
In areas like Kazura Garden, piped water supply is the primary source of drinking water as groundwater is saline. Residents noted that the locality has been grappling with frequent disruptions, with water lines often punctured during excavation for SWD work.
Srilakshmi Mohan Rao, a resident, said the area is fed with drinking water from Nemmeli desalination plant. Residents are forced to purchase tanker water as many streets are left without piped water supply for several days now.
Residents noted that portions of the roads are being dug up to check water lines. But residents are still waiting for supply with adequate pressure to be restored. G.B. Sabari Das, vice-president, Kazura Garden Residents Welfare Association, said the SWD work was started a year ago to channel floodwater into the Thoraipakkam canal. Though water lines and newly laid sewer lines were punctured during the work, the damages were left neglected.
Moreover, even the streets that receive piped water supply do not get sufficient water with low pressure. “We were informed that newly constructed overhead tank in Neelankarai is under maintenance. But the supply from neighbouring areas is not adequate,” he said.
