The Hindu 30.06.2010
Drinking water crisis rocks council meeting
Staff Reporter
| Non-removal of garbage at Gandhi Market and Vazhakkai Mandi and felling of trees dominate proceedings |
Photo: M. Moorthy 
Debate: Councillors of Left parties raising a point at the Corporation council meeting held at Tiruchi on Tuesday.
TIRUCHI: Complaints of drinking water shortage in certain wards in the city took centre stage at the Corporation council meeting held here on Tuesday.
Raising the issue, a section of councillors sought immediate steps from the civic authorities to redress the problem soon. The ordinary meeting was presided over by Mayor S. Sujatha. Deputy Mayor M. Anbazhagan, Corporation Commissioner T.T. Balsamy, and civic body officials were present.
Councillor Dilshad Begum complained that many areas in her ward 20, faced acute drinking water shortage causing immense hardship to the public. Though the issue was brought to the notice of the civic authorities, there was no solution as yet.
AIADMK councillor P. Krishnamurthy complained that drinking water problem was severe in his ward also. He found it very embarrassing to face the people.
Councillor R. Vanitha said drinking water shortage was being faced at least in five areas including Sozharajapuram area in the 57 {+t} {+h} ward.
Councillor S. Kayalvizhi said repeated complaints of acute drinking water shortage in ward 29 continued to remain unsolved notwithstanding the issue having been brought to the notice during the earlier council meetings. The councillors were vociferous in seeking urgent steps for redressal of the problem immediately.
While stating that due attention would be given to solve the problem, Mr. Balsamy urged the councillors to coordinate with the local level civic body officials to get the problem solved.
Garbage
Councillor Krishnamurthy sought steps for removal of garbage at Gandhi Market and Vazhakkai Mandi while another councillor Jerome Arockiaraj lamented that Tiruchi city was losing its green cover due to felling of trees as part of encroachment eviction drive.
Instead of cutting down trees on West Bouleward Road for laying an end-to-end road the authorities concerned could explore the possibility of chopping protruding branches on roadside without disturbing the green cover on the road dotted with commercial establishments. Replying to the issue, Mr. Balsamy said the intention was not to disturb the green cover and the aim was not to cut trees.
Councillors Krishnaveni and O.R. Sriraman who raised the issue of the death of two workers who were asphyxiated while carrying out works connected with laying underground drainage system in the city recently complained that safety kits were not provided to the workers who were involved in such works.
Earlier, councillors paid their respects to the departed Congress leader D. Sudarasanam. The house observed two minute silence as a mark of respect.
