Chennai Residents Relieved as Water Supply Restored After Veeranam Pipeline Leak Fixed
Chennai’s water supply, which had been severely disrupted due to a pipeline rupture from the Veeranam reservoir, was restored on Tuesday afternoon by Metrowater officials. The leak, which occurred at the 171km point of the 208km pipeline near Puthupakkam, led to localized flooding along Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road. In a bid to minimize further water wastage, Metrowater authorities promptly halted the flow from the reservoir. The technical team identified a crack at the base of the pipeline, and by the evening of the same day, welding work was completed to secure the line.
The disruption, which began on February 27, wreaked havoc on residents across several localities, with areas such as Teynampet, Kodambakkam, Alandur, and Adyar facing water shortages. As the alternative water supply from Metrowater was erratic and inadequate, many residents were forced to rely on expensive private water tankers. This caused considerable hardship, with some tankers charging exorbitant rates of ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 per load. Veeranam Lake, located in Cuddalore district, is a crucial water source for Chennai. Through the North Chennai Water Treatment Plant, approximately 180 million litres per day (MLD) of water is pumped into the city’s network. However, the rupture in the pipeline halted the flow to the treatment plant, further exacerbating the supply crisis.
“I had no water for almost two days, and because of the sudden disruption, we were unable to store any. If we had known about the issue in advance, we could have made preparations,”a resident of Azim Street. Many others shared similar concerns, particularly about the lack of adequate alternative measures. A local civic activist from Adyar, A Kumaravel, pointed out that while Metrowater did provide an alternative supply, it was insufficient and relied heavily on costly private water suppliers.
Metrowater officials reassured the public that repairs were completed quickly, and water supply from the North Chennai Water Treatment Plant resumed by Tuesday afternoon. Water distribution systems started functioning again in key areas, including Mylapore, Raja Annamalaipuram, and Nandanam. While the situation was resolved swiftly, it highlights the fragile nature of the city’s water infrastructure and the heavy reliance on a few sources. Chennai, one of India’s largest urban centres, faces the dual challenges of rapid urbanisation and dwindling water resources. As the population continues to grow, the demand for water will only increase, making it crucial for authorities to invest in sustainable water management and ensure that future disruptions are minimized. The incident also raises important questions about the city’s preparedness and its ability to handle such unforeseen situations, especially given the importance of the Veeranam reservoir in meeting the city’s daily water needs.
As Chennai recovers from this crisis, residents are urging Metrowater and local authorities to plan more effectively for the city’s water needs. Many believe that the city needs a more diversified approach to water sourcing, with increased investment in rainwater harvesting, desalination plants, and the revival of local water bodies. Only through these measures can Chennai hope to mitigate such disruptions and secure a more reliable water supply for its growing population.
