The Vellore Corporation has installed free drinking water points at 20 identified spots within its limits for the public to quench their thirst during summer.
Corporation officials said that the initiative was mainly aimed to help residents, especially women and senior citizens, who would go to public places like market, bus terminus, commercial centres in the town where they could drink water at these water joints.
The region including interior towns like Gudiyatham, Pernambut, Sholinghur, Ambur and Walajah have been experiencing daily temperatures of around 40 degree celsius since April. Most of these towns are along the Palar river, which is completely dry. “The initiative was delayed due to enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for elections. The water points will be available for residents till June-end,” R. Lakshmanan, Commissioner, Vellore Corporation, told The Hindu.
At present, the civic body has been divided into four zones, covering 60 wards with a population of around eight lakh persons. Each zone will have at least four water points. Each syntax tank, on an average, has a capacity of 1,000 litres.
These tanks were kept at crowded stretches where public utilities like banks, ATMs, shops and government offices are located. “Free drinking water distribution points are useful as residents can avoid carrying pet water bottles. Such a facility should be made permanent with periodic quality checks of water in it,” said B. Sumathi, a resident.
