Metrowater working out schemes to control killer tankers

By S. Shivakumar

CHENNAI, MAY 15. The death of a couple at Taramani close on the heels of the killing of a mother and her son at Arya Gowda Road in West Mambalam by water tanker lorries has forced Metrowater and traffic police to work out schemes for controlling the menace.

With the city reeling under an acute water scarcity and ``mobile water tankers'' being the prime source of supply to most parched residents, officials face a piquant situation.

With an increasing demand, these vehicles are pressed into service throughout the day, including peak hours, posing a threat to other road-users. The tankers have to be on time at slum and residential areas; even a small delay could lead to a law and order problem with residents resorting to disruption of traffic.

The problem is so acute that water-tanker lorries are stationed at even the City Police Commissioner's office. ``This is done as a precautionary measure. These vehicles are rushed to an area when residents agitate'', says a police officer.

The Metrowater vehicles carry out about 6,000 sorties each day, which include about 500 paid trips to different parts of the city, from the 15 filling stations. Another 4,000 trips are being undertaken by private operators, who cater to upmarket residents and `paying' people in the city. Comparatively, the city bus transport network, the MTC, operates only four times as many trips, 40,000.

Together, they create a host of problems for the other road- users. But, the threat from these vehicles transporting water is more as they move about in residential colonies and narrow streets, say some residents.

Despite claims of improving safety aspects and fine amounts levied on vehicles and crew who violate norms, in reality, things are yet to change. For instance, the crew without khaki uniform are fined Rs. 50, but rarely are Metrowater drivers or cleaners seen in uniform.

At a recent meeting of lorry owners, residents and officials at Nungambakkam, some owners reportedly said they would continue to operate the vehicles with ``whoever was available, cleaner or driver.'' They defiantly pointed out that it was not possible for a single driver to drive the vehicle for about 20 hours a day; the cleaner will also have to chip in.

`Within the limitations,' Metrowater officials have chalked out various measures for disciplining the crew of these mobile water carriers. Vigilance committees, which comprise private volunteers and members of the lorry owners association, monitor the vehicles and their condition every day.

Instructions have been given to Executive Engineers to ensure that the names of the driver and cleaner are written everyday in the log book. This is a public record and even private volunteers have been enlisted to monitor this aspect.

Classes are being conducted everyday at the filling points and surprise checks are conducted by members of the vigilance committee. About Rs. 40,000 has been collected as fine amount from lorry drivers for various offences. The work orders of three vehicles involved in fatal road accidents have been cancelled.

A senior Metrowater official said they did not exercise control over private water tanker lorries. Many big hotels and business establishments have their own tanker service to cater to their water needs. Several private operators find this a lucrative business during summer.

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