Source : The Hindu Date : 23.06.2009

Councillors call for steps to overcome water crisis

Special Correspondent

COIMBATORE: Councillors of the Coimbatore Corporation have called for measures to tide over shortage of drinking water, especially in view of the fast dipping level in the Siruvani Dam.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) councillor P. Rajkumar alleged that Siruvani water was being supplied once in 10 or even 12 days even though the Corporation claimed it was done once in four days. “The city is in the grip of a drinking water crisis and we have to tackle it immediately,” he said.

The AIADMK member wanted to know from the officials the water-holding capacity of Siruvani Dam and how much water was left in it. Mr. Rajkumar pointed out that a huge amount of silt in the dam was reducing the capacity of the dam. This, in turn, impacted supply to the city and other area dependent on the Siruvani drinking water scheme.

The Corporation had already taken up the issue of increasing the height of the dam that was located in Kerala. Even as a response was awaited from the Kerala Government, the Tamil Nadu Government should immediately take up with it the need to remove silt from the dam. “We (the Corporation) can pass a resolution requesting the Tamil Nadu Government to discuss this issue with Kerala,” he said.

Earlier, Deputy Mayor N. Karthik emphasised the need for alternative sources to provide water to the people in the city. “The level in the Siruvani Dam is very low and people suffer erratic supply even in areas covered by the Pilloor scheme. While the Corporation cannot be blamed for this, it is important that more bore well water is supplied to the water-deficit areas to compensate for the shortage of Siruvani and Pilloor waters,” he said.

Amid the agony over water crisis and slow pace of development works, the Corporation had something to cheer about in the form of an individual’s contribution for a public cause.