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Readers' Mail

Wholly untrue

Sir, — We, the office-bearers of Jai Nagar Development Association (JNDA), Arumbakkam assert that the contents of Mr. C.K. Parameswaran's letter titled `Metrowater Supply' that appeared in these columns on September 13, are wholly untrue.

Though Metrowater does make sure that tanker lorries are dispatched on time to all streets the JNDA has taken up the responsibility of monitoring supply, so that all residents receive equal quantity.

This practice that began several years ago continues to be a much appreciated voluntary act by the residents of Jai Nagar as well as the officials of CMWS & SB.

We refute the allegation of Mr. Parameswaran that water is being sold for money.

No such practice is being allowed in this area by any individual.

The officials of the Metrowater Board undertake surprise visits in all the water distribution points in our area to ensure that there is no malpractice. The officials accept and appreciate our queue system for distribution because it ensures that everyone gets turns to collect water and wastage of water is also avoided.

B.M. Jyotheeswar,

president, Jai Nagar Development Assn., Arumbakkam

Supply water in

Sintex tanks

Sir, — The residents in AP-Block, 22nd Street, `H'-Block, Anna Nagar, who are lower middle class and unable to buy water, do not get adequate supply from Metrowater tankers on alternate days. While the house owners get some quantity of water, their tenants get nothing. On this account the tenants tell the landlords that they will shift their residence. The Metrowater staff often behave boorishly, despite complaints to the higher authorities.

Recently, I bought 9000 litres from Metrowater in Anna Nagar. The sump can hold only 8000 litres and the remainder was not delivered despite my request to the staff to wait for a few minutes, to enable me to switch on the motor, for filling the overhead tank. We suggest the supply of water in sintex tanks hose capacity is 3000 litres.

Arcot Easwaran,

president,

Annanagar Citizens' Assn.

Scenario same

elsewhere

Sir, — I fully endorse the view expressed by Mr. V.N. Krishnan of Nanganallur (Readers Mail Sept. 13) about the reason for the scarcity of drinking water for law abiding citizens. Nanganallur is not an exception; the situation is worse in the adjoining Adambakkam under the same municipal limits.

The illegal direct drawal from the supply lines in connivance with municipal staff deprives many of even the small quantity they look for, once in 20 days.

V. Sivarajan,

Adambakkam

Resurrect

water body

Sir, — We thank you for the publication of the picture of Old Pallavaram quarry (The Hindu, Sept. 15). We fully concur with your reporter's views that the abandoned quarry, a natural reservoir with bountiful water has gone unnoticed by many, including officials. As your reporter has suggested, it may well be the answer to the water shortage in the city and suburbs. Last year too the The Hindu had done a similar thing on May 9. But both Pallavaram Municipality and Kancheepuram district officials have not shown interest in studying the utility of the natural reservoir.

There are more than five lakes in and around Pallavaram, of which none has been desilted or deepened for rainwater harvesting. These have been allowed to go dry.

V. Santhanam,

president, Federation of Civic & Welfare Assns. of Pallavaram

How can this happen?

Sir, — I travelled with my family from Kumbakonam to Chidambaram on September 5. The bus left at 11.20 a.m. I asked the conductor to issue tickets for all us from Kumbakonam to Vaitheeswaran Koil. The conductor did so collecting Rs. 10.50 for each ticket. When the bus halted in Mayiladuthurai a new conductor took charge. He asked me to buy ticket from Mayiladuthurai to Vaitheeswaran Koil. When I showed him the tickets which I thought were from Kumbakonam to Vaitheeswaran Koil, he said the other conductor had issued ticket from Kumbakonam to Mayiladuthurai only. When I asked him how could this happen he told me to pose the question to the other one.

One can imagine the state of administration of TNSTC from this instance.

S. Ravikumar,

Triplicane

Emulate Mumbai

counterparts

Sir, — The news item titled `fined Rs. 600 for no fault of theirs' highlighting the agony of two MTC bus passengers (The Hindu, Sept. 9) made sad reading. The commuters of MTC buses are aware of the system of issuance of tickets. In almost all buses, the conductors are glued to their seats and it is the passengers' lot to buy tickets somehow or other. The visitors to Chennai from other States are not at all aware of this `practice' and become `victims' at the hands of ticket checking staff.

In Mumbai BEST buses, the conductors move up and down the aisle and issue tickets. The passengers are allowed to board only through the rear entrance. Those who have bought tickets have to move inside and get down only through the exit, opposite the driver's seat. Further, there is no system of `passing on the fare' through fellow passengers to the conductor to get the ticket.

P.K. Sankar,

Adyar

Make buses stop

Sir, — As the limited stop service, Point to Point and Express buses of the State Transport Corporations do not halt at the Aasan College stop (within our Panchayat Union), students of high schools, colleges undergo much hardship.

Will the MTC take steps to make things easy for them soon?

Residents of Pallikkaranai panchayat union

Restore frequency

Sir, — The 3A bus route from Mylapore to Parrys Corner was a well-established and popular one.

The MTC had slowly reduced the frequency on this route making it most unreliable on the plea of poor patronage, forcing the regular commuters to either engage autorickshaws or take more than two buses to reach destinations served by the route. It is requested that the old frequency be restored.

S. Vaidyanathan,

Mylapore

Save time, expense

Sir, — There is no direct bus service from Avadi to T. Nagar.

Now one has to take two buses to reach either of these destinations, which is time-consuming and expensive. I request the MTC to do the needful, at the earliest.

R. Krishnamurthy,

Thirumullaivoyal

Direct bus

service sought

Sir, — There is no direct service from Porur to Egmore or Tambaram via Alwar Thirunagar, Virugambakkam. The MTC is requested to introduce services covering these places.

K. Ravi,

Alwar Thirunagar

I Class travel far

from comfortable

Sir, — Travelling by first class in suburban trains (BG) on Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu section, is an ordeal. First, the seats are poorly designed leaving little leg space. Second the trains are overcrowded. The authorities should substantially increase the seating capacity by providing for more seats (at least 50), a compartment and operating units with 12 cars, especially during peak hours. These can be given effect to, at least, from November 1, when the EMU lines that are being converted are ready. No less important is to ensure that only such of those railway employees who are entitled to travel by first class actually avail the facility. This is because one finds even those who are not eligible for the privilege travel by first class.

G. Lakshmi,

Guduvanchery

Make it much easier

Sir, — Precious time is lost in waiting for payment of electricity charges. Sometimes, an individual gives five cards or six for paying charges and the clerk takes quite a while to count the amount given to him in different denominations for every card. This delays the turn of those who are waiting in the queue. Besides, one has to go a quite distance to reach the new EB office at Ambattur.

It is suggested that cheque drop facility as is in the office of LIC North, Park Street in Ambattur for payment of premium, may be provided at the EB counter also.

M. Nagasubramanian,

Hon. Secy.,

Jayapriya Towers Flat

Owners' Assn., Ambattur

Payment of EB charges

Sir, — To pay the electricity charges residents of Durga, Kamatchi, Selliamman and Mummoorthy and Sundarambal nagars, GST Road, TNHB quarters, Vedantam and Apparao colonies and other adjacent areas in Tambaram Sanatorium have to go to the collection counter of the MES in Kadapperi which is nearly 7 km. away from the above localities. This is causing much inconvenience and the plight of the senior citizens and women has to be seen to be believed. In Tambaram Sanatorium itself there is a sub-station under the charge of an SE/AEs whose offices are also situated in the station. If a collection counter is opened at this office for the residents of the above colonies it will be a great relief.

T.M. Viswanathan,

Tambaram Sanatorium

(Letters for this column can also be sent by e-mail to letters@thehindu.co.in with full postal address. They should be marked `Readers' Mail')

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