Engineer E Devakumar said the proposal had been sent to utilise funds under the Integrated Urban Development Mission for the year 2013-2014. The project includes two infiltration wells at Iraivankadu headworks and laying of main pipelines at a cost of `210 lakh, four infiltration wells at a cost of `30 lakh and laying of main pipelines between Thirumani headworks and Thalaiyarampet headworks at a cost of `200 lakh.

Mayor P Karthiyayini said the local body was experiencing a water shortage of 52.30 lakh litres per day. She said the local body received only 228.20 lakh litres water perday from 15 headworks in Vellore, while the demand was for 680.50 lakh litres of water every day.

She said, “Despite the water shortage, the Corporation was supplying water once a week to all areas.” Currently, around 45 litres per person was being supplied in the city. She said the local body had spent Rs 1.71 crore between 2011 and 2013 for water supply through tractors. For the year 2013-2014, water supply through tractors had been arranged for every five wards.

The currently available 1,183 hand pumps, 1,246 mini motor pumps and 556 deep wells and open wells in the city were also quenching the thirst of Velloreans, she said. The Cauvery Integrated Drinking Water Supply Scheme at a cost of Rs1,295 crore was being carried out to address water issues in future, Karthiyayini noted.