Amid shortage, water tanker delays aggravate problems in core zones

Anna Nagar, Adyar and T Nagar are considered the posh parts of the city. But when it comes to timely delivery of tanker water from Metrowater, it is Tiruvottiyur, Manali and Madhavaram that stand out.

While residents in these three extended zones receive lorry water within a day after booking, zones such as Teynampet, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar that are in the heart of the city, have to wait at least 20 days to get the tanker water. Similarly, Adyar residents have to wait for 10 to 15 days, while those in Tondiarpet get water within a day due to lower number of bookings.

Similarly, it would take about 10 days to receive water in Ambattur, Kodambakkam and Royapuram zones and 7 days in Anna Nagar, Perungudi and Sholinganallur. Valasaravakkam and Alandur residents could get water within a week.

Explaining this, a Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) official said that the delay in delivery also depends on the number of lorries being operated and the number of buildings in the particular zone. Mobile water would be supplied on the basis of seniority of the bookings made.

The CMWSSB has hired around 800 tanker lorries on contract and each lorry usually completes five to six delivery per day. “We have empowered area engineers to deploy additional lorries if they require. Zones like Anna Nagar have hired additional tankers to minimise the waiting period,” the official said.

As on Thursday, Metrowater had a pendency of around 40,000 bookings and the board receives around 4,500 bookings per day for mobile water of 9,000 litres. But officials are delivering only 60 per cent of the bookings. “Due to this, our backlog swells. Of the total pendency, 30 per cent booking would be cancelled by the residents.”

Already disappointed by the delay in supply, the residents of multi-storeyed apartments expressed resentment that the CMWSSB’s action of cancelling of multiple bookings. “The Metrowater is collecting water taxes from individual flat owners in an apartment but provides only one water connection. We have 28 flats in our apartment and one load of tanker water is insufficient. We have to wait for another seven days to book again,” VS Jayaraman, a resident of Motilal Street in T Nagar said.

Jayaraman, whose apartment falls in Kodambakkam zone, added that he has to wait for at least 10 days for lorry water. “Because of this, we depend on private tanker lorries.”

The official explained that the huge backlog is due to the multiple bookings made by several apartments. “To limit the number of bookings made from a single address, we have worked out a plan. After the new restrictions are implemented, city residents will get lorry water within 48 hours after booking,” the official added.

In order to serve the residents of narrow streets who have smaller sumps, the water manager has taken steps to operate 2,000-litre and 3,000-litre lorries on contract basis. Of the total 200 smaller lorries planned, 80 lorries are ready to be operated from June 1.

“Residents should pay Rs 350 for 2,000 litres and Rs 400 for 3,000 litres. We link the 3,000-litre booking to the online water booking portal. However, residents should call our call centre to book 2,000-litre lorries,” he added.

The Metrowater operates around 8,500 trips every day and of the total trips, 4,000 trips are free trips to the slum and tail-end areas.

Presently, Metrowater collects charges for lorry water in cash while delivering the water. “Now, we are trying to introduce an online payment system. Many residents tend to cancel bookings. We will collect cancellation charges after the introduction of the online payment system,” he said.

Meanwhile, private water tanker lorries have increased their charges due to water shortage. Some residents pointed out that the charges were increased by as much as 40 per cent and attributed it to lack of sufficient mobile water supply by the Metrowater.

“Earlier, we could get water from places 20 km from the city. Now we have to go beyond 50 km to get water. Due to this, transportation charges have been increased. But, some lorry owners have increased the nominal amount due to the increase in demand,” N Nijalingam, president, Tamil Nadu Private Tanker Operators Association, said.

Explaining the failure to meet the demand, the official said that many lorry owners, who are on contract with Metrowater operate their lorry for private suppliers to higher profit, violating contract conditions. But the Metrowater could not terminate their contract because of non-availability of water tanker lorries.