Residents block key stretch near Katpadi demanding resumption of water supply

Residents blocked Tiruvalama Main Road at Melpadi village near Katpadi in Vellore on Sunday, demanding immediate resumption of water supply for household consumption.

Melpadi village comprises nine wards that come under Katpadi Panchayat Union in the district. The village consists of seven remote hamlets, including Eranthangal, Kandipedu, Puliyamangalam, and Mannarsamiyar with around 3,500 families.

With soaring temperatures in recent weeks, water supply has not reached these hamlets. Melpadi alone has around 250 families, who depend on water supplied by the panchayat. 

Irregular supply of water has forced residents to travel at least 5-10 km to fetch a few pots of water from Katpadi and Tiruvalam towns. ”As groundwater in the area is salty, we depend on water provided by the civic body for consumption. However, the local panchayat has not connected water pipelines to the newly built Over Head Tank (OHT),” said K. Devi, a resident.

Around 11 a.m, residents blocked the stretch demanding resumption of water supply. On being informed, Melpadi police and revenue officials rushed to the spot and pacified agitated residents who, then, dispersed peacefully.

Panchayat officials said on an average, 3.5 lakh litres of water is required for household consumption alone every day. Most of the water is sourced from five borewells in the village. Water from these bore wells were pumped to eight OHTs to provide water through pipelines and street corner taps. Every day, water supply is arranged for two hours for household consumption. 

Initial inquiry by panchayat officials found the motor pump that supplies water to the new OHT non-functioning. The existing water pipelines were also not connected to the new OHT, which was built after the old tank collapsed many months ago. Panchayat officials said that efforts have been taken to provide water to households through private tanker lorries before water supply is resumed through the new OHT.