Chennai’s water supply will grind to a halt for 36 hours starting 8:00 AM on May 3, as Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) undertakes critical pipework on Kellis Balford Road in Anna Nagar’s Zone 8.
The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) announced that the maintenance, ending 8:00 PM on May 4, will disrupt the Kilpauk Water Distribution Station, impacting five key zones: Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Thiru. Vi.Ka Nagar, Anna Nagar, and Teynampet. This disruption underscores the challenges of balancing urban development with essential services in a city striving for sustainability and equity. Residents across these zones face significant inconvenience. Tondiarpet (Zone 4) will experience a complete water supply shutdown. In Royapuram (Zone 5), neighborhoods like Purasawalkam, Periyamet, Sowcarpet, Egmore, and Chintadripet will be affected. Thiru.Vi.Ka Nagar (Zone 6) and Anna Nagar (Zone 8) will see disruptions in areas such as Otteri, Ayanavaram, Perambur, Sembium, Kilpauk, Villivakkam, and Kellis. Teynampet (Zone 9) residents, particularly in Triplicane, will also grapple with the outage. For families, especially in underserved areas, this disruption could strain daily routines, from cooking to hygiene, highlighting the need for resilient urban water systems.
To mitigate the impact, CMWSSB has promised alternative arrangements. Water tankers and street-level pipes will serve areas with low pressure or no supply, ensuring basic access. Residents are urged to store adequate water for essential needs and use it sparingly. For emergencies, CMWSSB’s online portal allows tanker requests, with a helpline (044-45674567) available for support. These measures aim to cushion the blow, but they also spotlight the importance of equitable access to water during infrastructure upgrades. The pipework is part of Chennai’s broader push for modern transit through CMRL’s metro expansion, a vital step toward sustainable urban mobility. Yet, such projects often disrupt essential services, raising questions about coordination and planning. Chennai’s vision of a net-zero, inclusive city hinges on harmonizing infrastructure growth with uninterrupted access to resources like water. As the city navigates these growing pains, the resilience of its communities shines through, adapting to temporary hardships with patience and resourcefulness.
Normal supply is expected to resume post-maintenance, but the episode serves as a reminder: sustainable cities must prioritise seamless service delivery alongside development. Chennai’s residents, from bustling Tondiarpet to serene Triplicane, deserve infrastructure that uplifts without disrupting the lifeblood of their daily lives—water.
