Tambaram residents oppose water supply privatisation plan

Residents' welfare associations in Tambaram have opposed private contractor involvement in a proposed 24x7 drinking water supply project. At a meeting of the Tambaram Makkal Nala Sangam and Federation of Residents' Welfare Associations, they passed a resolution urging the Tambaram Corporation to implement the project using government funds and maintain civic control.

The associations demanded transparency and resident consultation before finalisation. They noted that a detailed project report is being updated and a Public-Private Partnership model has been proposed initially for six areas: Sembakkam, Madambakkam, Chitlapakkam, Tirusulam, Perungalathur and Peerkankaranai.

Residents argued they were not consulted on private participation, water tariffs, administrative control or potential consumer costs. Terming drinking water an essential service, the associations urged the government and corporation to implement the project without private players.