Chennai: With strike by private water tankers extending for the third consecutive day, hotels and big malls in the city felt the pinch and downed shutters, on Wednesday.
Demanding revoking of the court order banning extraction of ground water, water tankers associations did not operate even a single lorry. In turn, city's popular malls including Express Avenue and other star hotels, downed shutters.
“Though the strike did not affect normalcy on the first day, its tightening grip was palpable on the third day. If the situation continued, several more commercial establishments will be forced to down shutters,” said A. Kumaran, resident of Royapettah. When he tried to visit a nearby mall, security personnel told him that the mall was closed.
Commenting on the situation, minister for local administration S.P Velumani said that metro water tankers have been pressed into service and number of trips has been increased.
“Metro water board is prepared to meet the drinking water needs and there is no need for panic among public,” he added.
Meanwhile, households have also started to experience the brunt of the situation, and it is likely to blow up, if the strike continued. “With pooja holidays starting Thursday, things will turn more difficult for residents, if there is no water supply,” said a resident of Egmore.
