Private water lorry owners in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, and Kancheepuram districts have declared a strike starting August 30th. This move is in response to a directive from the Chengalpattu Collector, which prohibits private lorries from accessing local wells. In a show of solidarity, lorry owners from neighboring districts, including Chennai, are set to join the strike.
The lorry owners` association stated that due to the strike, there will be interruptions in water supply to apartments, hospitals, and hotels. Residents` welfare associations in the OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road) area are concerned about the potential crisis this strike could create in southern parts of the city.
In response to the strike, residents have been informed that lorries have been directed to source tap water from areas south of Tiruporur. This change is likely to result in increased water rates and could further exacerbate traffic congestion on OMR, which already faces infrastructure challenges due to the higher volume of water trucks plying the route to compensate for the increased time and distance.
The lorry owners` association has made an appeal to the Tamil Nadu government to ensure uninterrupted water supply for the general public.