District Collector R. Sukumar reviewed on Thursday the progress made so far in the execution of various drinking water schemes under implementation in the district as harsh summer is likely to seriously affect the drinking water supply to residents with no sign of summer showers.

Chairing the meeting, he said the officials should ensure sufficient supply of drinking water to the residents by sustaining or augmenting supply from the infiltration wells during this summer, which would be harsh with prolonged dry spells without any summer showers. The infiltration wells in partially dry riverbeds should be wetted by digging canals to stagnate water around the wells so that drinking water supply could be sustained until the arrival of summer showers or the ripple effects of southwest monsoon in Tirunelveli district after seasonal rains start in June.

At the same time, execution of ongoing drinking water projects should be expedited with the highest priority.

“The TWAD Board and the local administration department officials should instruct the contractors concerned to complete the drinking water projects ahead of deadline while ensuring superior quality. Any delay in completion of drinking water projects should be viewed seriously and the officials who failed to complete these all-important projects before the deadline will be taken to task,” he made it clear.

On the inordinate delay in the completion of the second and third phases of the underground drainage project within Tirunelveli Corporation, the Collector said the roads dug for this scheme should be re-laid immediately after laying of pipes and installation of ready-to-use concrete manholes were completed.

“Since the residents are complaining repeatedly about the delay in re-laying the roads damaged during the underground drainage work, the Corporation should take extra measures to make the roads motorable,” the Collector said.

District Revenue Officer M. Durai was present.