Villagers opposed private tankers to extract groundwater from outskirts of Chennai

CHENNAI: Nearly 4500 private water tankers will be on strike and will not supply water from May 27, 2019, as the tankers are facing opposition of villagers on the outskirts of Chennai from where the tankers extract groundwater and sell it to residents of the city.

The villagers had always been opposing the extraction of the groundwater, the private tankers refuse to supply the water from now saying that the government officials take side with villagers and also cracked down our tankers.

The private water tanker holders said that three days ago, local police officials took our four water tankers into custody. In many places, teams of revenue department officials have been stopping tankers from tapping groundwater and locals also prevented tankers to collect or extract ground water.

Nijalingam N, president of South Chennai Private Water Tanker Association said, “Villagers have broken our pumps and other equipment. Several panchayat officials have gone more tough by dumping sugar in motor to cease it. The officials are treating us like criminals, when we only help the people who are in dire need of water. So now, we have decided to go on strike until the Metro Water Board and collectors promise us to not disturb our work.

It is to be mentioned that, the private tankers currently supply close to 700 MLD to gated colonies, IT parks, apartments, hotels and others. Many of the city’s residents have opted private water tankers as Metro Water Supply has been reduced to 550 MLD from 800 MLD.