Metrowater refuses bookings, shocks residents

“When I went to a Metrowater office in Adambakkam area to book tanker lorry, an official refused to take the bookings. She said that I cannot book lorry water for the next one month,” said a resident of Nanganallur.

This was not the only case of Metrowater’s blatant violation, as many allegations have started to surface against the practice.

M Namaswamy, a residentof Velachery, said he was also denied lorry water recently. “An official at the local Metrowater office said that I could not book tanker lorry water for one month. So, I had to book private water tanker lorry for much a higher price,” he said.

Metrowater supplies 9,000 litres of drinking water at Rs 700 whereas private tanker lorries supply the same quantity of water at more than Rs 3,000. Metrowater also supplies 6,000 litres at Rs 475.

When contacted, a Metrowater official denied these allegations, maintaining that residents could book lorry water every day. “We will take action against the official who refused to allow residents to book lorry water. It wrong to refuse the bookings,” he added. The official also explained that the bookings are open from 6 am to 6 pm every day. “We will not allow bookings after 6 pm.”

Residents, however, urged the Metrowater to ensure continuous tanker lorry water supply so that they can manage the crisis. “Metrowater supply in our is insufficient throughout the year in my area. But till now we had groundwater to manage the situation. But, as the groundwater level depleted, we are forced to depend completely on tanker water supply. If they stop paid lorry water, we will have no other option,” M Senthil, a resident of Kodambakkam said.