Even as Pallavaram is facing acute shortage of drinking water, the municipal corporation increased the water tariff at its recent council meeting. The move has now created a flutter among the opposition party councillors and civic activists.
However, water-starved residents have a reason to cheer now as the municipality plans to expedite the much-awaited Rs100 crore water supply project and provide adequate water to its residents. The project is to be executed by the local body with state government and World Bank funds.
The fast-growing suburban region relies on Palar river for its regular water supply. As the river water does not meet the region’s needs, the municipal authorities believe this project would help tide over the crisis. The demand for drinking water is pegged at 40 lakh litres per day.
Residents would be asked to pay Rs7,500 as deposit and Rs285 as monthly water charges and taxes, whereas commercial establishments would be asked to shell out Rs15,000 as deposit and Rs855 as monthly charges, says municipal chairman K.M.R. Nissar Ahmed.
The municipal administration came in for sharp criticism from the opposition during the recent council meeting for increasing the water tariff. But the unfazed treasury benches defended the increase and said the revised amount was being imposed to avail of World Bank funds.
“Already, prices of essential commodities have increased, and the recent increase in water charges will burn another big hole in a poor man’s pocket,” said Mr Majeed, a resident.
“The locality has been facing water shortage and the recent revision of water tax is certainly bad news for residents,” opined Mr D. Vijayakumar, who owns a shop in Chromepet.