CHENNAI: For villagers of the Minjur belt, north of Chennai, the sight of speeding tankers carrying drinking water is nothing unusual these days. But the tankers are not ferrying water to water-starved Chennai city as they used to, until a few years ago. On the other hand, they are bringing in potable water to the villages.

The area has been severely affected by seawater intrusion and groundwater depletion.

Studies by a voluntary organisation have brought out the effects and livelihood problems of people residing on the city's fringes and periurban catchment areas due to over-extraction of groundwater.

At a public hearing conducted at Minjur by the Citizens Consumer and Civic Action Group on Saturday, the residents of Minjur expressed their anguish over the consequences of indiscriminate groundwater extraction. A resident of Mathur, 6 km from Manali, said at least 200 private tankers transport water from the village to the city daily. This, despite a court order forbidding extraction.

Only a few pockets of Minjur belt, such as Nallur village, have potable water. Even these are being exploited to the hilt.

Official apathy

Villages that did not sell water are also affected due to over extraction in surrounding areas and in the absence of recharge.

Residents highlighted the official apathy to extraction in villages along the Koratalaiyar river belt and the failure to desilt minor irrigation tanks.

With groundwater extraction resulting in seawater intrusion, the villagers have to buy water from neighbouring villages.

A woman from Seemavaram said they paid Re.1 for a pot of water.

Farmers narrated their plight after they had to abandon agriculture operations due to lack of water.

The public hearing was part of the CAG's study on `Chennai's Water Crisis: Myths and Realities.'

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