After 53 years, Dhanushkodi gets drinking water

A cyclone which hit the town in 1964 completely ravaged it severing road and rail connectivity. From then on, drinking water and electricity could not be supplied to the island. As years rolled by, the number of fishermen families increased to nearly 200 but still they were yet to get good water supply. The residents had been suffering for long and they largely relied on a natural spring in the island. “It takes nearly 30 minutes to fill a can of water from it. Therefore good drinking water supply has been our long-pending demand,” said the fisher folk.

At last, their dream was fulfilled on Wednesday as a tanker lorry with 6,000 litres of water was taken to the island. “This became possible only because of the newly laid road to Dhanushkodi,” said an official.

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Dhanalakshmi, Municipal Chairman(In-charge), Rameswaram, inaugurated the water supply in the presence of Health Inspector of Rameswaram Municipality, Iyappan. She said that at present a lorry will supply 6,000 litres of water for free daily. “We are not restricting the amount of water that people can use. They can fill as much water as they need,” she informed.

Later, three tanks with a capacity of 1,000 each would be installed at three strategic places in the town. The tanks which be located at Mukundarayar Chathiram, Palam and Kambipadu would be filled daily to cater to the requirements of the fishermen, said Dhanalakshmi.

Following the inauguration of water supply scheme, Lakshmi, a resident of Dhanushkodi, said that women had been struggling for drinking water in the island. “We have waited in long queues to fetch water from the lone spring here. It is such a relief to see the tanker lorries,” she said.

“We just do not know how to express our heartfelt thanks to the government. The officials have really taken a lot of effort to fulfil our daily need. Another problem we face is lack of power. If only the government can do something about it we will be very glad. With good electricity supply, our children will be able to study better and help in our upliftment,” added Lakshmi.