Several councillors of Tirunelveli Corporation raised complaints over severe drinking water shortage in various parts of the city, stating the residents were facing immense hardship.

The issue was raised at the council meeting of Tirunelveli corporation held on Friday. The meeting was chaired by Mayor G. Ramakrishnan, in the presence of Corporation Commissioner Monika Rana.

Speaking at the meeting Palayamkottai zonal chairman Francis said severe water shortage had persisted in Palayamkottai zone for the past few weeks. Councillor Seetha Balan pointed out the expansion areas under ward 39, including State Bank Colony, Velavar Colony, Ponmani Colony and others were facing acute drinking water shortage.

The councillors urged the corporation to expedite Murappanadu drinking water scheme, which had remained incomplete midway despite being launched for expansion areas.

Thatchanallur zonal chairperson Revathi highlighted that people were suffering as roads dug up for UGDS works were not being restored due to slow pace of the project.

Tirunelveli zonal chairperson Maheshwari urged the officials to address the issue of sewage mixing with drinking water. Responding to this, Ms. Rana instructed the officials to take immediate steps to resolve the problem.

Councillor Ali Shaik Mansoor said several residents in Melapalayam were affected by diseases including jaundice. Although officials had instructed that overhead tanks should be cleaned every month, some tanks had reportedly not been cleaned. He demanded immediate action to clean the tanks on war footing.

Tirunelveli MLA R.S. Murugan, who attended the meeting as special invitee, has urged the corporation to relocate animal waste-based feed manufacturing units functioning near Ramayanpatti dumping yard, stating that nearby residents are largely affected by it.

He also raised concerns over the ongoing UGDS project in Tirunelveli stating that the pumping station had been located far away, which could create difficulties in discharging sewage effectively, especially during the monsoon season. He urged the officials to establish pumping stations at suitable locations.