CHENNAI: The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) will soon appoint a consultant to identify a new water source that can provide 1100 Million Litres Per Day (MLD) to the city in the coming years. The board has shortlisted two out of nine consultants who had applied.

With the water demand in Chennai expected to shoot up to 2,248 MLD by 2026 and the availability pegged at 1,615 MLD, it is vital to find additional water sources. Apart from setting up two desalination plants in the city's outskirts, each of which can provide 100 MLD, the government has also decided to find new water sources.

When tenders were floated by CMWSSB a few months ago, nine consultants had submitted bids. After evaluation, two were shortlisted. "One will be selected and issued the work order. The company will have to submit a report in 15 months, specifying the new source and the feasibility of laying pipes from the water source to the Chembarambakkam or Poondi lakes. The angle of the pipes will also be mentioned," said a senior CMWSSB official.

The official added that it would be decided thereafter whether the water would be pumped through three different pipelines or through three different pumpsets into a single line. "The water will be transferred in three phases of 5 TMC each. The consultant will have to conduct a survey across the state to find out the new water source. The 15 TMC of water will help supply water to over 63 lakh people in the city."

Surface and ground water account for the main sources of supply to CMWSSB. While Poondi, Cholavaram, Porur, Veeranam, Chembarambakkam and Krishna lakes are the surface sources, Minjur, Poondi and Tamaraipakkam constitute the ground water sources.

"The Krishna water scheme was formulated in the 1970s keeping in view the demand after 30 years. Similarly, we are foreseeing the demand after 30 years and trying to identify water sources," said the official.

Presently, 650 MLD of water is supplied to the city, almost three times the quantity supplied, for instance, in 1978 (240 MLD). The water treatment capacity today is 1280 MLD, compared to 182 MLD in 1978. The number of Metrowater connections, too, has increased - 4,92,362, from 1,16,000 in 1978.

CHENNAI: For the last two months, advocate TSG Sekar hasn't taken his car out of his home on Second Cross Street in Raja Annamalaipuram. Reason? Many private cars have hijacked the carriageway and maneuvering the vehicle out is an ordeal.

"Ironically, the cars are owned by officials of Chennai Metro Rail Project, who are involved in a project aimed at mitigating the sufferings of hundreds of people," he said. The entire Second Cross Street has been hijacked by vehicles of government officials and those of residents of neighbouring areas. Every inch of abutting road-space has been converted into an impromptu parking lot.

A lack of enforcement by varions government agencies, including the Chennai Corporation, has compounded the problem.

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) says its job ends with certifying a construction as per the Development Control Rules requirements. "We oversee the construction and it is for the traffic police and the corporation authorities to check for violations," says a senior official. "A hike in parking fee, say Rs 500 per day, could help," he adds.

The CMDA's First and Second Master Plans clearly stipulate the parking requirements for owners as well as visitors.

In case of residential use, the builder has to provide one-car space for every two dwelling units in a floor area measuring between 50 sq m and 75 sqm and one-car space for every 75 sqm. In commercial buildings, space for one car and one two-wheeler for every 50 sqm is required to be provided. Besides, 10% of the total floor area has to be earmarked for visitors' vehicles. Very few adhere to these rules.

Builders, on their part, blame buyers for not looking into these issues before making the purchase. "The fault is not with the officials and builders. The problem lies with the people," says T Chitty Babu, chairman of Akshya Homes. "Builders should earmar space for car parking before selling a flat but buyers, too, should be aware of the provisions of the development control rules."

According to corporation commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni, the civic body is striving to regulate the haphazard parking in various areas. "Taxis pose a bigger threat to road-users than individuals grabbing public spaces. We have introduced automated parking meters in three areas to check out the system," he says. The corporation has no plans to hike the parking fee in the immediate future.