After protesting together for water, Chennai residents fight with each other

Sources said that since surface water has dried up and ground water is depleting, residents have continuously been facing acute water crisis. Further, in most parts of the city they keep complaining about water quality stating that colour of the water has changed.

A case in point is residents residing in and around Valluvar kottam filling station had a few days ago entered into altercation with the crew of the metro water tankers and demanded water.

This had led to a tension and the contractual staff had staged a flash strike.

In another case, residents approached a filling station in Royapuram on July 31 and asked the drivers to tap water for them. However, the drivers turned down their demand saying that they were not authorized to supply water without instruction from their higher-ups. Agitated residents forcefully tapped water from the tankers.

But, things took an ugly turn on Wednesday, as residents from Anna Nagar resorted to road blockade on the Kilpauk garden road and complained about poor water quality.

“Water is yellow and smelly,” said M Kamala, a resident of Anna Nagar. To add fuel to the fire, piped-water supply was interrupted and they relied on metro water tankers.

When contacted, a spokesperson of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) said, “We are trying to supply water to all residents. We have even explored various options to tap water,” the official said.

Asked about water quality, the official maintained that they were often taking water samples and sending them to the lab. “So, the public can approach us whenever there is a problem,” he added.