Nandivaram in Guduvanchery town panchayat has 12 wards on the eastern side of the railway station and 6 wards on the western side. Locals claimed that the public tanks and pipelines on the western side are not being maintained properly and pipeline aren’t in working condition.

“Even if the panchayat is supplying the water it is not reaching our houses since many residents have directed the water to their homes illegally with the help of motors,” said a resident, Rajesh. He said that they should travel to Urapakkam, Keerapakam, Thailavaram, and Potheri to fetch the water. “People who don’t have two-wheelers used to travel in cycles which is very difficult,” Rajesh said.

The villagers claimed that the panchayat officials who knew about the issue are not taking any action. “The panchayat was supplying lorry water, now it also reduced to only once in the week and there will be no clue of when the lorry would arrive,” said another resident.

When contacted, the Nandivaram Guduvanchery Executive Officer P Ravi said that the groundwater level has become too low and they are managing with the available water. “There is a plan to place purified drinking water tanks at six places using the MLA fund for Rs 50 lakh. It is on progress and soon the work would start,” he said.