Metrowater tanker operators to strike work from tomorrow
Chennai: Metrowater tanker operators are set to launch a strike starting this Sunday, protesting the delay in finalizing tenders and issuing work orders.
P S Sundaram, president of Metrowater Tanker Owners' Association, said that around 450 tankers of varying capacities currently operate under contract with Metrowater.
The last tender period ended in Feb last year. Though officials promised to call for fresh tenders by Aug 2024 and reportedly completed the tender process by Nov, no work orders have been issued so far.
This prolonged inaction has forced many tanker owners into debt, as several of them purchased new vehicles in anticipation of renewed contracts. With no official communication from Metrowater, over 350 newly acquired vehicles are lying idle in sheds across the city.
"The inaction not only left many contractors in a financial bind but also led to issues in the new vehicles that haven't been operated for months," said one of the contractors. He added that in June last year he purchased a tanker, which has now developed a fault despite being unused. "Even the manufacturer is unable to identify the issue," he said.
On average, each tanker operates up to eight trips a day, supplying water to areas without piped water.
by Taboola
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"If the strike goes ahead, it will directly affect those who depend on Metrowater's free water supply," said a senior Metrowater official.
With no response from the authorities, the association has announced that tanker operations will be suspended starting June. Unless swift action is taken, the worst-hit will be households relying on govt's free tanker service, operators said.
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