With mounting water crisis and depleting water table, the demand for tanker lorries has increased manifold in the city this summer. On an average, the tankers hired by Chennai Metrowater alone operate nearly 8,300 trips daily. This has also meant threat of accidents in the city.
Two lives were lost in the last few days ever since the Chennai Traffic Police relaxed the timing for the water tankers to meet the growing demand. To prevent such accidents, the police have advised tanker lorries to drive slowly.
As the resources in the reservoirs are fast dwindling, there would be more pressure on water tankers during peak summer days.
During a meeting held here on Wednesday, a police team headed by R. Sudhakar, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic (South), met the private water lorry owners and those driving on a contract basis for Metrowater.
Last year, A. Arun, Additional Commissioner of police (traffic), restricted the plying of tanker lorries between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. to reduce accidents.
However, on a request from the lorry owners, the police revised the timing and restricted their movement during peak hours between 8 a.m and 11 a.m. and from 5 p.m to 9 p.m. The Metrowater lorries were provided alternative routes to reduce accidents.
“Last week, we removed the restrictions to help people meet their water demand. But two fatal accidents — one in Virugambakkam and the other in Halda junction — were reported after this,” said the officer. “We told them that stern action will be taken if they indulge in rash or drunken driving,” said a senior police officer.
700 lorries operated
Nearly 700 lorries are being operated by Metrowater to manage the gap in piped water supply.
On an average, each lorry plies a minimum of 15 trips daily from as early as 5 a.m. This is to provide street supply and those booked on payment.
Lorry owners noted that each area would have a minimum of 450 loads of water booked on payment daily. “We were advised to drive cautiously and avoid speed,” said a lorry owner.
However, private water lorry owners prefer the restricted timing during the day.
S. Murugan, State secretary, Tamil Nadu Private Water Tanker Operators Association, said, “Nearly 4,500 private lorries are plying in the city daily. Such tankers mostly operate during nights. The relaxation would mean more trips and less rest for the drivers.”