Chennai: Residents of OMR and Sholinganallur are grappling with a severe water shortage after Metrowater supply was slashed by 75% following restrictions by police on water tanker operations during peak hours.Following the death of a 10-year-old girl, police banned heavy vehicles, including water tankers, from entering the city from 7am to noon and 4pm to 8pm. As a result, water supply to residents in several neighbourhoods dwindled. With only five loads of water being delivered daily—far below their actual needs—residents of OMR say they are now relying on private lorries sourcing water from neighbouring districts.Frustrated by the lack of underground water connections and inadequate public supply despite paying taxes, residents want authorities to lift the restrictions specifically for their area. “We were dependent on Metrowater supply through tanker lorries. After restrictions, at least 75 per cent of our water supply has been reduced,” said Federation of OMR Residents Association co-founder Harsha Koda.Residents said while core city residents pay 150 a month for Metrowater, those in OMR and Sholinganallur are forced to purchase water from neighbouring districts at a cost of 1,000 per month. A senior Metrowater official said they requested the police department to revise the restriction timings, as water tanker lorries are unable to operate for six hours.
