CHENNAI: A similarity in nomenclature of two different charges levied for different purposes by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Metro Water) has been a cause of concern for several residents.
With awareness lacking even among junior officials of Metro Water, the confusion has led to delay in provisioning of water and sewer connections to several apartment buildings.
The two charges in question are infrastructure and amenities (I&A) charges levied by CMDA and infrastructure development charges (IDC) levied by Metro Water, and the confusion arises from the fact that “infrastructure charges” remains the commonly used term for both.
Mohammed Rafi Shaik, a resident of an apartment building in Tiruvottiyur, said the Metro Water has been denying water and sewer connections to his building constructed 17 years ago. “There are 237 families, and we are dependent on tanker lorries for water requirements and sewer disposal,” he added.
His contention was that while his builder had paid the infrastructure charges - I&A charges - of Rs 1.05 crore to CMDA while obtaining planning permission, the Metro Water officials have been demanding infrastructure charges (IDC) at the rate of Rs 320 per sq ft for every apartment. “Since we already paid charges to CMDA, why are they asking us again? CMDA should transfer the money to Metro Water,” he said.
To add to the frustration, Metro Water engineers at the local level seemed to be either unaware or reluctant to clarify. They simply inform residents that CMDA has not transferred the money to Metro Water, giving legitimacy to the residents’ concerns.
Shaik’s case is not an isolated problem in the city, as many recently-built apartments are entangled in this confusion. Harsha Koda, co-founder of Federation of OMR Residents Associations (FOMRRA), said when the apartment buildings were constructed in 2008-09 in OMR region, there was no sewer or water connection in the locality.
Acknowledging that the terms could be confusing, a senior CMDA official explained I&A charges are collected towards development of flyovers, parks, roads, and other amenities in the city. IDC is, meanwhile, collected by Metro Water for the infrastructure needed to provision new connections.
Clarifying that CMDA cannot transfer the I&A charges to Metro Water as believed by residents, he said the water manager should spread awareness in this regard. A senior Metro Water official said their junior officials and residents will be sensitised on the issue.