Water train from Jollarpettai makes final journey to Chennai on Tuesday
By Newsmeter Network Published on 9 Oct 2019 12:02 PM GMT
Chennai: The last phase of water supply from Jollarpettai to the city via train will make its final journey from here on Tuesday. With Chennai’s groundwater level recharged and a few water bodies, which supply water to the city, reaching considerable levels, the final service left Jollapettai at around 8.30 am after supplying water for over two months to the city.
According to sources, so far almost 39.25 crore litre of water has been supplied to the city. Sources said that the water was first taken to the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) facility in Villivakkam, it was then being transported to Kilpauk water treatment plant after which it was supplied to the Central areas in the city. The decision to stop the service from Jollaperttai came after the city started receiving water from the River Krishna.
It may be noted that previously, the state government proposed to operate these water trains for a period of six months until the groundwater level was expected or saw any improvement in the city. Sources from the railway department said that for operating three trips for 30 days, covering a distance of about 20 kilometres, the state government would give Rs 7.74 crore to the railway department.
To make this plan effective, the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board engaged in laying pipelines for 2.5 km. This was done to draw water from the storage tank at Mettuchakkarakuppam near Jolarpettai, which receives water under the Vellore Combined Drinking Water Supply Scheme.
When the train was taken from Vellore, the officials also ensured that this would not affect the water supply in Vellore.
