Govt turns defensive on water crisis in TN

The growing water shortage in the State has snowballed into a major political issue forcing AIADMK ministers to spell out the measures taken by the government.

In a damage-control exercise, Local Administration Minister S P Velumani, whose resignation has been demanded by Opposition leader and DMK president M K Stalin, listed out the drought mitigation measures taken up by his department.

“In order to meet the crisis in Chennai, water is taped from agricultural wells around Poondi. At present, we can take 65 MLD from those wells. Since February, around 30 MLD of water has been harvested from the quarries in Sikkarayapuram and another 10 MLD from quarries in Erumaiyur at a cost of Rs 19 crore,” he said.

Noting that works are under way to treat water drawn from Retteri, Ayanambakkam and Perumbakkam lakes, a measure which would enhance the supply by 30 MLD, Velumani said that the government was providing additional water when compared to last year despite groundwater sources dwindling.

Defending the government, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam stated that efforts are being taken to address the drinking water crisis. “All district collectors and municipal officials have been directed to address the problem,” he told reporters.

Senior minister K A Sengottaiyan said the public need not worry about the water crisis as the state machinery was attending to it. To a query on government schools facing an acute shortage of water resulting in poor sanitation, the School Education Minister said there was no such situation in any government school. “If there are any specific complaints from schools, the same would be addressed within 24 hours,” he assured.

Appealing to the public to utilise water judiciously, Textiles Minister O S Manian admitted that the state was reeling under a severe drought due to the failure of seasonal rains. He also urged the people not to illegally draw water using motor pumps as it would affect the supply of water for those residing in tail-end areas.