Chennai: After years of relying on private tankers and borewells for drinking water, more than four lakh residents in Perungalathur, Peerkankaranai, Thiruneermalai, Chitlapakkam, Madambakkam and Sembakkam are set to get piped supply under a proposed ₹500-crore project by the Tambaram City Municipal Corporation.The project is part of a wider plan to extend piped drinking water to areas without proper distribution networks. The detailed report calls for new transmission and distribution lines, overhead tanks, three pumping stations of 5mld each and household water connections.It also includes bulk and consumer water meters, pressure management systems and a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system for real-time monitoring. Officials said the plan also provides for future population growth, routine maintenance, emergency repairs and replacement of ageing infrastructure to ensure a reliable long-term supply.Tambaram Corporation currently needs about 135mld a day but receives only around 90mld, leaving a daily shortfall of nearly 45mld. In the six project areas, demand is estimated at 35-40mld. Officials said the 400-mld desalination plant at Perur will be the key source of drinking water for the corporation and is expected to improve long-term water security once it becomes operational in March 2027.Residents said they currently spend between ₹3,000 and ₹5,000 a month on water from private agencies, while groundwater is hard and unsuitable for regular use.“It is a welcome move. Most residents here buy water from private suppliers. Whenever demand increases, the prices also go up without any notice,” said S Arun Kumar, a resident of Perungalathur.C Murugaiyan, secretary of the Federation of Civic and Welfare Associations, said most wards do not hold grievance redressal meetings where residents can raise civic issues. “This should also be implemented,” he said.Corporation commissioner S Balachander said the report has been submitted to the municipal administration. “Once funds are sanctioned, we will start,” he said.
