Thu Mar 13 12:58:24 UTC 2025: ## Chennai Metro Work Damages Water Pipeline, Affecting Southern Suburbs
**Chennai, March 13, 2025** – A major water pipeline supplying several southern Chennai areas was damaged during Chennai Metro Rail Limited construction, disrupting water services Thursday. The pipeline, carrying treated water from the Nemmeli Desalination Plant (capacity 110 million liters/day), was damaged at the Sholinganallur junction on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR).
Areas affected include parts of zones 13, 14, and 15, impacting residents in Tambaram, OMR, and Velachery. While alternative water sources like the Veeranam tank and Chembarambakkam reservoir are in use, residents reported reduced water pressure and disruptions to their usual supply schedules. One resident, Suryakantha Sambasivam of Uthandi, noted a week-long water shortage prior to the pipeline damage.
The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) immediately commenced repairs and aims to complete them by Friday noon. However, residents are calling for better preventive measures to protect utility lines during large-scale infrastructure projects. This is the second water supply disruption in the southern suburbs this month, following a leak in a pipeline supplying water from the Veeranam tank earlier in March.
First Piper 