Metro water officials put water ATMs in question
Posted on: 14/May/2019 10:12:21 AM
It is likely that the Chennai Corporation will soon come up with low-priced water ATMs across 200 wards in the city. This initiative has put the metro water officials stumped. As the decision is claimed not to have any practical possibility, the official announcement is being withheld.
Reports state that there are plans to set up water ATMS dotting 800 different locations. These are to have similar structures already present with the other municipalities that function under Commissionerate of Municipal Administration.
These ATMs will be dispensing water at the rate of Rs 7 per 20 litres. This shall be worked out with public-private partnership. This is likely to benefit over 10 lakh families that totally rely on water cans. There are similar units already installed at Tambarm, Poonamallee, and Chengalpattu. The same is yet to be introduced in Chennai.
What about the source of water for these ATMs? This is the most important question raised by the metro water officials. In case we have such large quantity of water, we can even give it for free instead of charging them. Whatever is the corporation’s decision, it is the metro water division that delivers water. And the public benefit out of the overhead tanks dotting the city everywhere. The various water resources in Chennai city are getting depleted eventually. The Poondi reservoir, Sholavaram lake or Red Hills Lake will no more supply water to the public anymore, say metro officials.
