Chennai Metrowater promises piped water supply to Thiru.Vi.Ka Nagar after decades of tanker reliance

Residents of Thiru.Vi.Ka Nagar and neighbouring areas in Chennai, who have depended on water tankers for decades, are set to receive a permanent piped water supply system. The Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewage Board (CMWSSB) has announced major infrastructure upgrades aimed at resolving the long-standing water shortage in the constituency.

The decision follows reports of a 50-year struggle for drinking water, which intensified this summer, as highlighted by The Hindu. Many streets in the area, including 4th, 5th, and 6th streets, have been grappling with choked and completely blocked water mains. Replacement of these mains is currently under way and is scheduled for completion by June 30, 2026.

To address immediate water needs, the CMWSSB has deployed a temporary arrangement involving 25 tank installations filled by 12 mobile water supply lorries, covering 1st to 9th streets. However, officials have clarified that this is only a stopgap measure.

A detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared for a comprehensive solution. The plan involves replacing 18.185 km of pipelines with ductile iron pipes ranging from 100 mm to 450 mm in diameter. Additionally, new infrastructure will include overhead tanks and underground sumps to serve 964 tenements. Two key facilities are proposed: one with an 11-lakh-litre overhead tank and a six-lakh-litre underground tank, and another with a 25-lakh-litre overhead tank and an 11-lakh-litre underground tank. Water distribution will be divided into two zones, and existing electromechanical arrangements in the current 1.6-lakh-litre underground tank will be replaced.

The project, estimated at ₹59.15 crore, is being executed by the CMWSSB with funding from Singara Chennai 2.0 and the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board. It is expected to be completed by August 2027.

Selavaraj of the Pulianthope Podhu Nala Sangam, a local community organisation, welcomed the initiative, stating that residents who have waited over 50 years for reliable water supply deserve the long-overdue piped water system.