Tamil Nadu - Erode   

Thavittupalayam Village in the grip of severe water scarcity

R. Sundaram

`You will not get a second glass of water from hotels here' `You will not get a second glass of water from hotels here'

COSTLY COMMODITY: Thavittupalayam villagers buying water from a water seller. - Photo: M. Govarthan

ERODE: "We get drinking water once in 18 days and that too three to four pots per house. So we are forced to buy water at exorbitant rates," said Thavittupalayam villagers.

Anthiyur and Thavittupalayam are twin villages with hundreds of weaver population. Both villages are now reeling under severe water scarcity.

Here, you will not get a second glass of water from any of the tea stalls or hotels.

Exorbitant rates

"Every year during summer, from April to June, we used to have water problem. But this year even from March, we are struggling," they said.One of the Panchayat councillors, representing 15th ward, G. Raja, said: "We getCauvery water only once in 18 days. Water is being supplied just for an hour."

"Being a member of a panchayat ward, I requested the Panchayat officials to solve the water problem. But the officials are showing scant response for my plea," Mr Raja said.

He added that he had demanded the Panchayat officials arrange water in lorries on alternate days. But the officials said only after getting permission from the Collector could they supply water. "But the panchayat officials had made no representation to the Collector."

Raja said some days ago a team of panchayat members of Anthiyur visited the Collectorate, submitted a memorandum to the Erode District Collector T. Udhaychandran to take steps to solve the crisis.Though 15 days had lapsed, no steps were taken to solve the problem.

Thavittupalayam residents blocked road recently with empty pots demanding the district administration arrange water supply to their area.

Women colleting water from a leaking main pipeline is a common sight here.

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