Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) cadre staged a protest in front of the Coimbatore Corporation office by blocking the Big Bazaar Street condemning the “poor water supply situation in the city.”
Led by Coimbatore urban district in-charge and MLA N. Karthik, around 600 members raised slogans highlighting water supply in the city, against the Corporation’s decision awarding contract to Suez Projects Pvt. Ltd. and demanding Municipal Administration Minister S.P. Velumani’ s resignation.
Mr. Karthik said the Corporation supplied drinking water only once a month in a few areas in the city, which reflected the poor water supply management. This affected the city's residents.
He alleged that the Corporation that was aware of the drought-like situation and poor storage position in reservoirs did little to remedy the situation.
On the contract awarded to Suez Projects Pvt. Ltd., he said the DMK condemned engaging a multinational company for the executing the water supply improvement project.
Mr. Velumani should own up for the poor water supply situation and tender his resignation, he demanded.
As the protesters tried to enter the Corporation premises, the police prevented their advancement and removed them from the place. The police said that they had detained over 500 protesters.
Earlier, the police had denied permission to the DMK for holding protest in front of the Corporation saying the place chosen was not one they had permitted for procession, protest or public meeting.