PWD says NLC water halted, but city gets supply

However, Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) confirmed that water was being continuously received from the river. 

Sources said since the level was steadily declining in Veeranam lake, the PWD officials stopped the release for the city a week ago. This decision added to the woes of Chennai, which was facing acute water scarcity. In an attempt to tide over the crisis, Chennai Metro Water Board planned to tap water from Paravanar river, which received the excess water from Neyveli Lignite Corporation. 

However, following the stiff opposition from farmers and locals, officials for the time being have stopped tapping water from the river. 

A senior PWD official, requesting anonymity, said that they already sent water to Chennai from Paravanar. “However, the level in the Paravanar also was dipping fast. So, we were supplying water drawn from borewells located in and around Walajah lake and Paravanar river,” he said. 

RK Ramalingam, president, Kurinjipadi Farmers’ Club, Cuddalore district told DTNext that PWD officials from Cuddalore district did not supply water from Paravanar river basin and Veeranam lake, as there was neither excess water nor adequate storage respectively. 

“The PWD officials are now planning to supply water to Chennai from borewells, as the level is low in Walajah lake, which will usually receive water from open cast mining from the NLC. In such a condition, the PWD’s claim of excessive water from Paravanar being supplied to Chennai is not at all possible,” he said. 

Ramalingam also added that farmers from Cuddalore district had no objection to send water to Chennai, but their requirements should also be met. 

When contacted, a senior official from CMWSSB, said that the board was not aware of fact that whether water was being supplied from Paravanar or borewells. “We have been receiving 13 MLD a day and water is being drawn from borewells too from Cuddalore,” said the official.