Residents lay siege to Nagapattinam Municipality office seeking drinking water

Residents protest at Nagapattinam Municipality, demanding regular drinking water supply after weeks of disruptions and inadequate service.

Residents of Saveriyar Koil Street near Kadampadi in Nagapattinam staged a protest on Friday laying siege to the Nagapattinam Municipality office with empty pots, demanding regular drinking water supply.

The locality, which falls under the Nagapattinam Municipality, is home to over 1,000 families. Drinking water is supplied to the area under the Kollidam Combined Drinking Water Scheme. However, residents alleged that supply had been irregular for the past one month and had stopped for over a week.

Frustrated by the continued disruption, the protesters gathered in front of the municipal office, blocked the entrance gate with empty pots, and raised slogans against the State government and the municipal administration. They demanded that the roads and a pond in the locality be repaired. Residents complained that water was often released at night, causing inconvenience and sleeplessness.

On receiving information, Municipal Commissioner Leena Simon and officials, including the engineer, held talks with the protesters. They said a portion of the water pipeline had been damaged and repair work was under way. The officials said that supply would be restored by night and that drinking water would be provided through tankers as an interim measure.

Following the assurance, the residents dispersed. The agitation led to tense moments in the area.