Madras High court just gave a rude wake up call to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister who is in denial of the state’s crippling water crisis

• Four major reservoirs that used to provide water to Chennai, have gone dry.
  
• Madras High Court has criticised the Tamil Nadu government, for inadequate measures and has sought a comprehensive report on the steps taken.
  
• The court’s scathing critique has come a day after the state’s Chief Minister called the reports of a water crisis an “illusion”.
  
• Chennai Metro Water supplies only 525 million litres per day, way less than the 800 million litres required.

The Madras high court has criticised the Tamil Nadu government for inadequately addressing the problem of water crisis in the state. The high court was hearing a petition on the exploitation of groundwater for commercial purposes, according to reports.

The judge’s comments have come a day after the state’s Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami called reports of a water crisis an “illusion”. "Steps to have been taken for desilting four tanks in Chennai and the availability of water for supply to public in Chennai," the court reportedly said, adding that the government did not prepare when it was known that the monsoon would fail.

The court further criticised the encroachment on water bodies, has directed the Public Works Department (PWD) secretary to submit a state-wide comprehensive report on the number of reservoirs in the state, steps taken for desilting, amount sanctioned, and status of those works, according to an NDTV report.

Situation in the state capital has worsened with four major reservoirs that used to supply Chennai its water, have gone bone dry.

Majority of Chennai residents now rely on private water tankers, whose rates as well as waiting periods have doubled. The water supplies have gone down to 525 million litres per day against the required volume of 800 million litres.

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