On an average, about 450 hired lorries operate 3,500 to 3,900 tanker trips daily, supplying water to various areas across the city.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
In an effort to ease access to mobile water supply for customers, the waiting time between tanker bookings through the ‘Dial for Water’ service has been reduced from five to three days as on Monday. Residents may also be able to track tanker trips through a mobile application soon.
The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), which recently introduced 12-kl and 18-kl lorries to tap into the potential of bulk tanker supply, has shortened waiting period for paid water supply bookings. Residents, however, said the effectiveness of the service could only be assessed fully during summer.
Sources in the CMWSSB said while measures were under way to expand piped water supply coverage, the ‘Dial for Water’ service was being strengthened to better serve consumers, especially those in the added areas. On an average, about 450 hired lorries operate 3,500 to 3,900 tanker trips daily. Of this, a bulk of them cater to street supply and bulk consumers and another 1,000 are paid trips. The number of paid trips has steadily increased from 600 trips operated three years ago following measures to streamline the service, sources said.
With demand in most core areas largely met through piped water supply, it will enable more tankers to be diverted to areas in need, particularly in the southern fringes of the city. Work is in progress to upgrade CMWSSB’s mobile application to enable residents to track tanker trips and get delivery time updates. Another feature for the automated cancellation of undelivered trips within 48 hours, along with a cash refund facility, is being planned.
Residents said the reduction in waiting period for booking tankers was a welcome step. G. Satish of Semmenchery said the service had improved over the years, and the new measures would help residents in large residential buildings to schedule water supply. “We will have to wait and see if they are able to sustain additional trips during summer, when demand peaks,” he added.
Published – December 16, 2025 07:55 pm IST
