There is delay in attending to complaints of drinking water pipeline leaks, damaged service connections, seepage and other emergency repairs.
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The shortage of plumbers in the Tiruchi City Corporation has resulted in delays in repairing damaged drinking water pipelines, affecting the prompt redress of public grievances.Councillors and residents have repeatedly complained about the delay in attending to drinking water pipeline leaks, damaged service connections, seepage and other emergency repairs. Lack of adequate plumbing staff has led to prolonged delays, particularly in areas where pipelines are frequently damaged.At present, the Corporation does not have permanent plumbers to attend to repair work across its 65 wards. Although the civic body had earlier proposed recruiting plumbers on a consolidated pay basis, the proposal has not been implemented.According to Corporation sources, around 10 permanent plumbers were on the rolls in 2024. However, following retirement, deaths, and other reasons, the civic body does not have permanent plumbers. Instead, plumbers are engaged on a daily wage basis whenever repair work was taken up, often delaying the response to complaints.Workers are deployed for the maintenance of overhead tanks and other water supply infrastructure through private agencies.The shortage of plumbers has become more significant as underground drainage work under various phases across the city have led to frequent damage to drinking water pipelines. With the onset of the monsoon, delayed repairs to leaking pipelines increase the risk of water contamination.Corporation sources said at least 20 to 25 plumbers should be appointed so that each could be assigned to two or three wards, ensuring a quick response to complaints.Councillors have urged the civic body to fill the long-pending vacancies and strengthen maintenance operations. “The vacancies have remained unfilled for more than a decade. We expect the new government to take steps to address the issue,” said CPI councillor K. Sureshkumar. Published - July 10, 2026 06:46 pm IST
