COIMBATORE: Residents of Immidipalayam near Kinathukadavu have withdrawn their decision to boycott the April 23 Tamil Nadu assembly election after officials assured them that steps would be taken to address their drinking water issues. The officials’ assurance came after The Times of India published a report on March 27 headlined “Residents threaten to boycott polls over lack of drinking water,” which highlighted the plight of around 400 Arunthathiyar families in the village. The report said the villagers, who were travelling nearly four kilometres to fetch water, demanded alternative arrangements for a regular drinking water supply.After the report appeared on TOI, Coimbatore district collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar on Friday directed officials to take action. Kinathukadavu block development officer S Rajesh Kumar and Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board officials visited the village and inspected the feasibility of providing water to Immidipalayam.According to an official, the disruption in drinking water supply was caused by road work, electric pole erection and other construction activities. “We are planning to supply water to Immidipalayam from Devaradipalayam village in Kodangipalayam panchayat through the Sooleshwaran combined drinking water project.” “Work on preparing the estimate for the project is under way. Once it is completed, pipeline-laying work from the Sooleshwaran combined drinking water project will begin after obtaining permission from the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board,” the official said.
