After disruption of services by sewage tankers in the southern parts of the city on Thursday, Metrowater officials claimed they had persuaded sewage lorries to resume operations by noon. “At least 93 lorries resumed operations on Thursday by 12.30 p.m. More than 180 trips to the sewage treatment facilities were recorded,” said an official. Metrowater officials are planning to talk to the police officials to find a solution to the problem of frequent disruption of services because of traffic congestion. Metrowater has not been able to provide sewer network in many of the added areas of Chennai Corporation. “Residents of these areas such as Perungudi, Madipakkam and Sholinganallur depend on the lorries for disposal of sewage. Metrowater collects ₹100 per lorry for dumping sewage in its facilities such as Perungudi,” said the official. Pollution of waterbodies by the sewage tankers is another challenge caused by the frequent disruption of services.
The officials stressed on the need for removing the time restriction. “They were not permitted to operate from 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. Now the police have extended the time. We have to find an alternative,” said an official.
Infrastructure development of Metrowater sewage network in added areas has been delayed because of restriction by Traffic Police and Chennai Corporation. “Coordination among line agencies remains a challenge,” the official admitted.