Residents are blocking a key stretch near Katpadi demanding restoration of water supply

Erratic water supply forced residents to travel at least 5 km to get water from Katpadi and Tiruvalam towns. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Residents on Sunday blocked the Tiruvalama main road at Melpadi village near Katpadi in Vellore demanding immediate restoration of water supply for household consumption.

Melpadi village consists of nine wards which come under the Union Katpadi Panchayat in the district. The village consists of seven remote hamlets including Eranthangal, Kandipedu, Puliyamangalam and Mannarsamiyar with around 3,500 families.

Due to the extreme temperatures in recent weeks, the water supply has not reached these villages. Melpadi alone has around 250 families who depend on water supplied by the panchayat.

Erratic water supply has forced residents to travel at least 5-10 km to get a few pots of water from Katpadi and Tiruvalam towns. “Since the ground water in the area is salty, we are dependent on the consumption of water provided by the civic body. However, the local panchayat has not connected the water pipe to the newly constructed Over Head Tank (OHT),” resident K. Devi said.

Around 11 a.m., residents blocked the section demanding the restoration of water supply. On being informed, Melpad police and revenue officials rushed to the spot and pacified the agitated residents who then dispersed peacefully.

Panchayat officials said the average household water consumption is 3.5 million liters per day. Most of the water comes from five wells in the village. Water from these boreholes was pumped to eight OHTs for water supply through pipelines and corner taps. Every day, water is supplied for two hours for household consumption.

An initial inquiry by panchayat officials found that the motor pump that supplies water to the new OHT was not working. The existing water mains were also not connected to the new OHT which was built after the collapse of the old reservoir many months ago. Panchayat officials said efforts have been made to ensure water supply to households through private tanker trucks before water supply is restored through the new OHT.

Published – 24 May 2026 23:23 IST