Lots of water arriving

We residents of C.I.T.Colony, Mylapore, Chennai have faced continuous non-supply of drinking water in our sumps for several years. I have been buying 9000 litres of water by Metrowater Lorry right from August 2016 when we received black gutter water in our sump. There was no response from the CMWSSB and hence some of us were forced to close the inlet to the sump to avoid repeated cleaning of the sump due to influx of sewage water. While earlier the supply was effected in two days after booking a lorry increasingly it is extended to more than 30 days. By dint of careful rationing and recycling of water used for washing vessels and clothes, avoiding usage of flush tanks and washing machine we could make 9000 litres last for 30-40 days. Since March 2019 however it became increasingly difficult and delivery stretched to 15 days after booking in April-May 2019. From June however we are unable to get delivery of our booking for more than 30 days. When we followed up on 27th June for our 13th June booking the AE in charge of filling point said we did not have priority and suggested we should cancel our booking for 9000 litres by accepting an immediate delivery of 4000 litres! Is this fair when I received my earlier load on 28th May and already 30days had passed? That too when I had been hospitalised briefly and my co-owner siblings were visiting me out of concern for my welfare! Now the latest is the CMWSSB is stopping piped water supply in toto(in some places like Tambaram it was being supplied every alternate day) and has introduced a new TATKAL scheme where supply of quantity booked is assured in 2 days. Only problem is that above 3000 litres all bookings are online and even payments are online. Many Chennaites from Mylapore etc.are Senior Citizens living alone without any youngsters to help them with gadgets like computers etc. I had earlier asked when my booking of 9000/- litres on 29th June would bedelivered and I was told the CMWSSB was running behind schedule and where it was despatching bookings of 14May on 26th June it was despatching only bookings of 27th May currently! So when the Tatkal scheme was launched on 1st July I rang them up and asked when I would receive the lorry water booked by me on 29th June 2019.They said more than a month. I asked them then how do you assure the online booking public that they would get their delivery in two days? Would it not be at the cost of earlier bookings who have waited more than a month? Can a democracy countenance such a discriminatory practice that sets at nought the needs of the hapless citizens like those with no access to computers/computer skills or the needs of Senior Citizens. How can you depart from the priority of earlier bookings made because of a new scheme favouring those who can afford it over those of the common citizens? The CMWSSB also gave a news release that because of supplying free water to slum residents delivery of bookings made by the middle class and upper classes would stretch longer than 30 days. This caused us to turn to the unscrupulous private suppliers who would deliver at dead of night and instead of 9000 litres costing about Rs.4000/- supply far less and get away scot free. I feel that the new announcement promoting delivery of water in 2days is militating against the common public and geared towards catering to the rich builders and the like who can now receive a load in 2 days, book after 7 days, and receive another load on the eleventh day while we ordinary citizens are struggling to receive the load booked 30 days ago. When I questioned the local AE I was told that I could myself book under the scheme. When I pointed out that I could book only after the delivery of the earlier booking I was helpfully advised that if I book under the new scheme my earlier booking of 29th June 2019 would automatically get cancelled! Rather like letting go the bird in hand for one in the bush. I wish that like-minded citizens join hands with NGO like Arappor Iyakkam to challenge the new discriminatory practice being launchedon hapless citizens of Chennai, Tamilnadu. L.Kalavathi Retired bank Official, Chennai, Tamilnadu 30/07/2019 more  

All the houses built in waterbodies to be evacuated, and the concerned officers to be suspended permanently. The new houses will not crops up. Water bodies will be saved even in future otherwise this problems will be there . more  

This is just a very very temporary solution, as Mr. Swaminathan has mentioned. The government has earmarked funds of about 400 cr. for improving the water situation over a 4 year period. 4 year is too long. Immediate solutions like cleaning the Adayar river and preventing sewage in the river, desilting whateever lakes are still available, using water filters which reduce the consumption of water (https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/saving-water-no-longer-pipe-dream-chennai-check-out-these-innovations-104836). So, chennaites, don't wait for 4 years or the rains, do your bit now. more  

It is Ok. but permanent solutions should be found for this periodical recurrence. People should also feel their responsibilities. The young ones and children are also taught economical usage of water and to avoid of wastage of water. more  

More is to come and the job railways ha ve to do cleaning and filling is tremendous as i know it personally as i have done in 84 or so from Vijayawada to madras sitting and monitoring whole niggts. Unfortunately politicianns particularly now in tamilnadu doesnt realize that detention reduces turn around and capacity as was seen today! They are probably worried about their lorries! more