The Hindu 31.05.2013
“Water supply to Thorapadi after fixing leaks in main pipeline”
Councillors warned against taking law into their hands.
Drinking water supply to Thorapadi under the Allapuram-Thorapadi Integrated Drinking Water Supply Scheme would be streamlined after arresting the leaks in the main pipeline taking water from the Palar headworks to the collection well in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Commissioner of Vellore Corporation Janaki said at the ordinary meeting of the Vellore Corporation Council here on Thursday.
The Commissioner was replying to complaints from K. Sukumar (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), 49th ward councillor and T.A. Murugan (AIADMK), 50th ward councillor that it was 28 days since the wards in Thorapadi got water through the taps under the Allapuram-Thorapadi scheme.
They said that the tap operator who controlled the regulation of water supply under the scheme ensured regular supply in Allapuram areas, and refused to supply water to Thorapadi areas. The councillors threatened to regulate the supply themselves and ensure supply to Thorapadi if water was not supplied to their wards in the next two days.
Vellore Mayor P. Karthiyayini who presided warned that stringent legal action would be taken against anyone who tried to take law into one’s hands.
The Commissioner said that as against the full supply of 2.50 lakh litres per day made under the scheme, only 1.25 lakh litres reached the collection well in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar in view of the fact that there were 24 public fountains en route tapping water from the main pipeline for distribution to wayside areas, and that there were several leaks in the main line. The Vellore Corporation was currently on the job of arresting the leaks. Once the leaks were arrested, the water supply to Allapuram and Thorapadi areas would be streamlined, and equitable distribution ensured, taking into consideration the available water.
Ms. Janaki said that water was being supplied to Thorapadi from additional sources in the form of four borewells that have been sunk in the Thorapadi Lake.
K. Mohammed Hanif, 53rd ward councillor wanted the existing borewells in his ward to be deepened since they have become dry.
The Mayor said that the Corporation would explore the possibility of sinking a new borewell wherever necessary, since deepening an existing borewell would cost as much as a new borewell. The electricity connection available for the existing borewell can be used for the new borewell, she said.
Adavanthal drainage channel
M. Usha Nandini (AIADMK), 54th ward councillor said that the work on construction of cement beds and walls on the Adavanthal drainage channel from Bishop David Nagar up to the railway line in Kaspa having been completed at a cost of Rs. 1 crore, she wanted to know when the work on construction of cement beds and walls on the remaining part of the channel falling in her ward would be taken up.
A. Duraiarasan (AIADMK), 58th ward councillor wanted the work to be taken up after ascertaining in which ward the channel is located.
The Commissioner said that since the work has been completed, a fresh proposal has to be given to extend the work.
The work would be taken up if there were any savings in the allotted amount after final payment of the bill. The work would be taken up after a fresh survey of the canal by the surveyor of the revenue department, she said.
The Mayor said that the work in that portion of the channel which fell in the 54th ward would be taken up and completed.
K. Srinivasa Gandhi (Congress), 34th ward councillor wanted the encroachments in the form of 20 bunks in GPH Road to be evicted. The Mayor promised to take action if the councillor could give a written request.
