The Hindu 07.04.2013
Drinking water crisis looms large in 21 wards
A survey conducted by the municipal corporation has revealed that 21 wards are facing drinking water scarcity.
Of
the 100 wards of the civic body, 79 wards do not experience water
crisis while the rest need immediate attention from the authorities.
Mayor
V.V. Rajan Chellappa had a meeting on Friday with councillors and
Assistant Engineers to discuss the water availability and supply
scenario.
“We are taking all steps to ensure regular
drinking water supply in the 21 wards that face problem. The City
Engineer and Assistant Engineers have been asked to look into the public
complaints with urgency,” the Mayor told
The Hindu
on Saturday.
The areas which have been identified as
“badly hit” include D.R.O. Colony, K. Pudur, Naganakulam,
Mahaboobpalayam, Ellis Nagar, Thathaneri, Melamadai, Gomathipuram, Anna
Nagar and Tirupparankundram.
Mr. Chellappa said that
the engineers had informed him that water pipes in some areas were to be
replaced and water supply through tankers had to be stepped up.
“The
situation will improve in a couple of days as the Corporation officials
have stepped up vigilance on illegal connections and seizing of motors
at different places in the corporation area,” Mr. Chellappa said.
On
Saturday, the Corporation launched the AMMA scheme (Azhagiya Madurai
Managara Thittam) to undertake a massive cleanup operation in all the
100 wards in order to provide basic amenities for the people.
Minister
for Cooperation Sellur K. Raju inaugurated the drive from ward 85 at
Jhansi Rani Park and exuded confidence that the special schemes will
make Madurai clean and well-equipped. “Madurai was ignored by the
previous DMK government. Through the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban
Renewable Mission, Rs.250 crore will be spent to create infrastructure
in the city. Also, a separate allocation has been made to construct two
flyovers and lay new roads in the city,” the Minister said.
Speaking
at the inaugural function, Mr. Chellappa said that the AMMA Scheme
would give a facelift to the city as 600 workers were being deployed in
all the 100 wards in four zones to carry out works on sanitation, water
pumps, underground drainage, streetlights, road repairs and drinking
water.
In the ward 85, the Mayor said, 12 metalled roads and seven paver block pathways will be laid.
A
booklet on AMMA Scheme was released by the Cooperation Minister. Deputy
Mayor Gopalakrishnan and MLAs participated in the function.