The Hindu               28.05.2013

Pudukottai town in the grip of water crisis

Pudukottai town and the surrounding areas continue to reel under acute water scarcity.

Various organisations have urged the State government to take steps on war footing to solve the drinking water problem.

Till a few months ago, residents were receiving water in municipal water taps both in the mornings and evenings. Now, the localities are receiving water once a month, complains R. Sampath Kumar, coordinator of Nagar Nala Iyakkam.

The 40 tanks situated in the town have not been cleared of silt for the past many years due to which they could not hold adequate amount of water.

At some places, brackish water is received in the newly sunk borewells.

Taking advantage of the drought situation, many are making good money by supplying water through tankers across the town.

Mr. Kumar said that the people of the town celebrated the sanction of Rs. 50 crore by the Chief Minister in connection with the centenary of Pudukottai municipality, but their joy is short-lived due to the present water crisis.

He suggested that the municipality supply water through private tankers and urged the Chief Minister to sanction Rs. 3 crore for this project for the next three months.