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NDTV
18-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
MK Stalin To Launch Fifty Water Vending Machines In Chennai
Chennai: In a major public welfare initiative to ensure access to clean drinking water for all, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will inaugurate 50 vending machines across Chennai on Wednesday. The official inauguration will take place near the Marina swimming pool. The initiative, led by the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), is designed to provide 24/7 access to free drinking water, especially benefiting people from low-income backgrounds. These state-of-the-art water vending machines, also known as water ATMs, have been installed in strategic public locations throughout the city. According to Metro Water officials, the machines are being installed in two to six key spots within each Corporation zone. Locations include public places such as beaches, parks, temples, bus depots, terminals, and marketplaces -- all identified by the Greater Chennai Corporation for their high footfall and utility. Each vending machine is linked to a Metro Water pipeline and a storage tank to ensure an uninterrupted water supply. The machines are equipped with a purification system and are monitored around the clock through CCTV surveillance. Users can choose between two quantities of drinking water -- 150 ml or 1 litre -- depending on their requirement. "This is a commendable step by the state government, particularly for people who cannot afford bottled water," said M. Sajesh, a resident of Triplicane. "However, consistent monitoring and timely maintenance will be crucial to ensure the success and sustainability of this project." He also recalled a similar initiative launched in 2016 -- 'Amma Kudineer' -- under the leadership of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, which was eventually discontinued due to a lack of proper follow-up and maintenance. Officials from CMWSSB have assured that this new scheme will be actively monitored, with regular inspections and service checks planned to prevent neglect or breakdown. With the launch of these water vending machines, the government hopes to provide safe, accessible, and free drinking water to the city's residents -- a move that reinforces its commitment to inclusive urban development and public health.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Chennai residents in Mylapore face prolonged metro water supply disruption
Representative image CHENNAI: For more than 15 days, residents of Radhakrishnan Salai in Mylapore faced a severe disruption in piped metro water supply. Despite repeated complaints, the Metro Water Board failed to provide timely water tanker lorries, further worsening the water crisis in the area. With no alternative, over 20,000 residents were forced to rely on yellowish, salty borewell water for their daily household needs. Residents alleged that there was no proper response from the concerned authorities, leaving them uncertain about when the water supply would resume. The residents of Jambulingam Street, Rajasekaran Street , and 9th Street long depended on piped metro water in these residential areas. For the past two weeks, this supply was disrupted without any prior intimation. 'We waited for a few days, hoping the water supply would resume, but it didn't. We also tried reaching out to the metro water authorities, but they failed to provide a reason for the sudden interruption,' said S R Venkateswaran, a resident of Rajasekaran Street in Mylapore. The locals had no option but to use borewell water for domestic purposes and purchase canned water for cooking. Though residents tried to book tanker water through the 'Dial for Water' service, it was not responsive—even during emergencies. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn How Smart Traders Use Data to Navigate Volatile Markets Trader Headline Learn More Undo The system became a mere formality, and there was no proper response from the team responsible for ensuring uninterrupted drinking water supply. Whenever residents contacted local Metro Water Board officials, they were met with a lethargic response. 'We filed an online complaint, but without interacting with residents or addressing the issue, the complaint was simply closed,' said S Gandhi , a resident of Jambulingam Street. Even after escalating the issue to higher authorities, the matter was neglected by the concerned department. Gandhi added, 'If there was any maintenance work or a problem being resolved, they should have issued a prior notice so we could have made alternative arrangements.' When contacted, a senior official with the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) stated that the disruption was due to a pipeline pressure issue from the Kilpauk Water Treatment Plant . The rectification work is ongoing, and the water supply is expected to resume within the next two days.
