Vellore BDOs told to file report on water situation

Speaking to DT Next, Raman said that BDOs have been ordered to visit areas that face water crisis within their limits by 7 am and give a detailed report. An action plan would be drawn based on the report for each location according to their needs, the officials added.

The order has come at a time when residents blocking roads demanding regular supply of water has become the order of the day.

Raman also ordered stringent action against households that illegally tap water from supply lines and penalise such householders. Motors used for such purposes should also be seized, the order said.

Lack of seasonal rain and soaring temperature has led to the depletion of water table resulting in acute shortage. The situation has turned even worse in rural areas as some officials fail to initiate action despite repeated pleas and petitions from the public.

The major reason for the acute shortage in rural areas is reportedly due to non-cleaning of silted borewells. Even officials admitted to this lapse. Village panchayats also lack the funds for such works and the inability to pay wages for village overhead tank operators has also hampered the provision of potable water to the residents.

“There is nobody to act on public pleas and the absence of elected representatives in local bodies is another reason for locals resorting to protests frequently,” said a retired Rural Development Department official. “Unchecked and rampant sand mining are two major reasons for the depleting water table,” said official.

Despite being on the banks of Palar river, Walajahpet --Tamil Nadu’s first municipality -- which was supplying water regularly, now supplies water only once in four days. The same problem is experienced by neighbouring Arcot and Ranipet municipalities, officials said.