Metrowater begins repairing pipeline damaged due to Metro Rail work in Sholinganallur

CMWSSB repairs pipeline from Nemmeli Desalination Plant, impacting water supply to southern Chennai areas. Residents demand preventive measures.

The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) on Thursday started repairing a pipeline that carries water from the Nemmeli Desalination Plant.

The pipeline, which supplies water to various areas falling under parts of zones 13, 14, and 15, was damaged at the Sholinganallur junction on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) during work carried out by Chennai Metro Rail Limited. Water supply to some southern areas in the Tambaram Municipal Corporation, OMR, and parts of Velachery were hit, the water agency said.

The pipeline from the desalination plant, which has the capacity to treat 110 million litres of seawater a day, supplies water to various areas, including Akkarai, Sholinganallur, Kottivakkam, and Velachery. Though drinking water was provided through pipelines from other sources, such as the Veeranam tank and the Chembarambakkam reservoir, there was a drop in water supply on Thursday.

Suryakantha Sambasivam of Uthandi said the area normally received water supply on alternative days. “We haven’t been getting water for a week now. Metrowater authorities have assured us that supply will resume in a day. They have promised to supply water daily,” she said.

Residents said the authorities concerned should take preventive measures to prevent damage to utility lines during infrastructure projects. The CMWSSB plans to complete work by noon on Friday. It may be recalled that water supply to some of the southern parts were affected earlier this month due to a leak in the pipeline that supplies water from Veeranam tank near Kelambakkam.