Metrowater begins pumping at zero-point

By R.K. Radhakrishnan

CHENNAI, JULY 19. Metrowater commenced its pumping operations from the zero-point today as ``a decent quantum'' of water had built up at the border by this morning. Nearly six cusecs was available at the zero-point.

Though the quantum of Krishna water from the Kandaleru reservoir in Andhra Pradesh which reached the border so far is still much less than the amount expected, Metrowater decided to go ahead with the pumping as the city desperately needed more water.

As many as 14 tankerloads were lifted from the Andhra Pradesh- Tamil Nadu border and transported for purification and supply. In the next few days, Metrowater expects to increase the number of tankers to 50. ``We expect more water to flow in from Andhra Pradesh,'' said an official.

The Local Administration Minister, Mr. C. Durairaj, and the PWD Minister, Mr. Dhalavai Sundaram, along with Metrowater officials inspected the arrangements made for pumping and transport of water at the zero-point.

But some parts of the city which do not have access to tankers continue to suffer, while Metrowater makes valiant efforts to match limited quantities with the growing needs of a city bursting at the seams.

Meanwhile, there is a growing view that Metrowater should act now-when the crisis is still fresh in everyone's memory-to build credible alternatives during a lean monsoon year. It is being pointed out that though the city was to have received 12 tmcft of Krishna water, the realisation for 2000-2001 was only 6.6 tmcft.

It is possible to tap close to one tmcft from Chennai well fields and ``commanded'' agricultural fields. Along with this, if the average inflow into the city reservoirs during the past decade is taken into consideration-five tmcft-the availability even in a ``good'' monsoon year will not be able to match consumption.

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