From grandmother to grandchildren: Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar’s 50-year water struggle worsens residents’ summer

Over 50 years ago, Lakshmi used to walk from Thiru. Vi.Ka. Nagar to Pulianthope near Basin Bridge, carrying large brass pots of water on her head.

On a hot afternoon, holding a pail of water fetched from a tanker, her daughter-in-law, Abirami, says the situation remains largely unchanged for residents. She wipes off her sweat and slowly proceeds up a flight of stairs to her home and returns shortly after to refill. “I am afraid that my children will also face this situation,” she said.

While neighbouring areas such as Sastri Nagar and Narasimha Nagar, and newly constructed apartment complexes receive continuous piped water, six streets of Thiru.Vi.Ka. Nagar rely entirely on lorry-filled tanks. The heat, this summer, has exacerbated their situation.

Residents continue to manually carry water to their homes. There is no water supply in the hand pumps installed in some homes, and even if there is water, it is available only at 4 a.m. and is of poor quality, they say. The situation has remained the same even after officials inspected the area and promised action in March.

Jansi, a hospital contract worker residing in the area, said, “There are no borewells here. Families need at least 12 pots of water a day for basic necessities, forcing us to run from street to street after work. The pumps installed 15 years ago remain non-functional. During the summer, water scarcity intensifies, while during the monsoon, the streets experience severe waterlogging.”

“Families with school-going children face immense hardship as daily routines such as bathing depend entirely on successfully drawing water from these tanks, a struggle that only worsens during the summer,” she added.

Abirami, who underwent a caesarean section, said she suffers physical strain from carrying water to her first-floor residence. “The water comes out muddy and black, like sewage, emitting a foul smell. Even children are forced to help carry water, which disrupts their studies. Daily wage workers often miss work as they have to wait for the water lorries, whose timings are entirely unpredictable,” she said.

Water sources

There are nearly 200 temporary water tanks in the locality, which have become the only water source, said Selvaraj of Pulianthope Podhu Nala Sangam.

He said that connecting the area’s network to a dedicated main pipeline situated 100 to 150 metres away would provide a permanent solution. “Authorities claim that our water comes from the Kilpauk area, but there is no pressure, and blockages are frequent. Connecting to the continuous main line is the only way to resolve a struggle that has persisted for decades,” he said.

“A permanent solution means continuous flow of water. Thiru.Vi.Ka. Road and Sastri Nagar have continuous supply without a single tank, while our streets are filled with them. Elected representatives have not taken any initiative for a permanent solution. We want household pipe connections, yet, despite government schemes such as Jal Jeevan, no steps have been implemented,” he said.

Officials of the Chennai Metrowater Department said, “We are looking into the issue of erratic supply in Thiru.Vi.Ka Nagar pocket and Ambedkar Nagar 4th street. We have decided to begin from the Kilpauk Water Distribution Station supply to check if there are leakages in the supply side, since we have optimal pressure in major valves. We also have an elaborated action plan to tackle water pollution. The issue is being handled.”

Thiru.Vi.Ka Nagar MLA M.R. Pallavi said she would hold a meeting with the residents regarding the issue and ensure officials take necessary action soon.