Residents of over 150 houses in Kastha Mettu Street in Kosapet, of corporation ward 32, complained that they had been asked to pay for water pipes to be laid to their houses after existing pipes were damaged by the local body, while drainage lines were being constructed.
Recently, the Corporation had taken up the initiative to widen and deepen the drainage lines on both sides of the street, following repeated complaints about overflowing drainage in the area. In the process of breaking the old drainage lines using a poclain, water pipelines to the houses were also broken.
“Since, the pipelines were damaged, we did not receive water for the past 10 days,” complained Malarkodi, a resident of the street.
Chandrasekaran, a residents said,“The pipes were damaged and we have no other option but to purchase water. Along with the pipelines, even telephone lines were also damaged.”
Malarkodi added, the local body staff demanded `1,500 to `2,500 for the pipes to be replaced, besides money for materials to be purchased.
Ramesh, a resident said, he was spending `600 every three days for buying water.
Junior engineer,third Zone, Palani, said, “The local body is short-staffed and the Corporation had involved private parties to carry out the work.” The pipelines were old and leaky, so replacing them would be the best solution, he added.
Corporation engineer E Devakumar assured appropriate action.