Private water tankers add to risk

By S. Shanker

CHENNAI, AUG. 23. A private water tanker today knocked down a two-wheeler at Mogappair, killing the pillion-rider, Sai Banu (30), and crushing the leg of the rider. The deceased was taken to the KMC hospital and the injured admitted to a speciality healthcare unit.

Though the accident happened at around 8-30 a.m. the police could not locate the addresses of the victims till afternoon. Besides the names of the victims, the only information available till afternoon was that the motorcycle was coming towards the Thirumangalam junction, when it was knocked down from behind by the tanker proceeding in the same direction from the Ambattur Industrial Estate.

Eyewitnesses said the driver was unable to stop the vehicle which dragged the victims for about 100 yards before coming to a halt. The driver, Santhamoorty, said the water, drawn from a borewell in Ayambakkam, was for supply to a speciality hospital in the locality. There were no scheduled trips with no stop-overs for rest.

The mishap occurred even as Road Safety Week programmes are in progress. For long any accident by a water tanker in the city was invariably thought of as involving those vehicles on a contract with Metrowater. However, the scene appears to have been changed with many private players getting into the business encouraged by the premium for water. The supplies are invariably from the city peripheries such as Poonamallee and nearby villages. In the private segment, charges range from Rs. 650 to about Rs.1,100 per load. Recently, the more enterprising among them have come forward to offer part loads of 4,000 litres for Rs.450 and Rs.550.

According to an estimate, over 1,500 tanker lorries are running in the city, logging between 8,000 and 10,000 trips each day. Sources say 50 per cent of the tankers are from the private trade and the rest ply for Metrowater. Besides, there are some tankers plying exclusively for industrial establishments and hotel industry.

A senior member of Metrowater Tanker Lorry Owners Association says about 750 vehicles are on contract with Metrowater for the redistribution process. Metrowater's decision to cancel the contract of vehicles involved in fatal accidents instilled fear in the minds of the owners, who were pressuring the drivers to adhere to road rules and safety norms, though the working hours of the drivers had not changed drastically. During the previous year, Metrowater sought tankers not below 1986 models. However, with the need for more vehicles, Metrowater waived the norms on vehicle models. At least 200 `old models' are reported to be in operation. Sources said the condition of some of the old models had frightened road-users.

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Section  : Southern States
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