CUDDALORE: The frequent hiccups in the water supply system in Cuddalore town and closure of public fountains at certain places have drawn criticisms from various sections of the society.

There are complaints of erratic supply of even yellowish and brackish water that is unfit for consumption. The civic body is in a fix as to how to fulfill the demand without losing revenue.

K. Thirumalai, a social activist and a resident of Bashyam Street that boasts of a row of private clinics and hospitals, said it was a year since the area had got clean drinking water. The yellowish water trickling from the tap none could dare consume it. Buying water every day was causing a deep hole in the pockets of the salaried class and the daily wage earners, he added.

G. Madhavan, town secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), pointed out the municipality had cut down the daily water supply from three to one hour, and what was obtained was filled with impurities of various kinds. Jothi, town vice-president of the Congress said the closure of many public fountains in Ward Nos.1 and 2 had caused hardships to the people. The private water suppliers are exploiting the situation to the advantage.

While the tanker operators charge Rs.2 to Rs.5 for a pot of water, treated water with brand names is being marketed at Rs.13 per 12 liters and Rs.23 per 25 liters.

Civic body's efforts

Municipal Chairman A.G. Rajendran said water could not be pumped owing to interruptions in the electricity supply in the last few days and the problem was being addressed. When the unauthorized connections passing off in the name of public fountains were closed there was a hue and cry, Mr. Rajendran noted.

Municipal commissioner C. Chellappan said new water connections were being given on a payment of Rs.5,000 (Rs.4,000 as deposit and Rs.1,000 for accessories) within two days and a water cess of Rs.40 a month was being levied.

Even though the municipality was ready to provide 10,000 new connections, hardly 2,000 residents had opted for it. The growing number of defaulters and unauthorised connections had severely eroded the municipal revenue, he said.

Once the iron removal plants being set up by Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board became operational, the water quality would improve, Mr Chellappan added.

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