Water and the People of Chennai
In Anna Nagar, Chennai, verdant lawns are meticulously maintained with a regular tap water supply throughout most of the day. In instances of insufficient water supply, residents can liaise with senior officials from the municipal water board, who promptly arrange for water tankers to cater to their households’ needs.
Conversely, Mylapore grapples with chronic water shortages, receiving municipal water once every two days. To supplement their water requirements, residents rely on private borewells, albeit the water extracted is brackish, limiting its usage to toilets and washing purposes. Residents resort to purchasing water from tankers, incurring monthly expenses ranging from Rs 500 to 600.
Similarly, in the Madipakkam locality, water is supplied once every four days, prompting residents to procure bottled water for drinking purposes.
Meanwhile, Saidapet Slum faces acute water scarcity, with several hutments lacking bathroom facilities and tap connections. A communal tap, drawing water from a borewell, serves approximately 30 hutments, providing a brief window of water flow for 20 minutes twice a day. During this time, families can fill a maximum of three buckets, which are utilized for both washing and drinking purposes.
Moreover, during summer months, water availability diminishes further, leading to intense competition among families for access to the limited water supply, often resulting in prolonged waits for water tankers.
Chapter 7: Public Facilities| Class 8 Civics Notes
Chapter 7 of CBSE Class 8 Civics uses water as a central illustration to explore the concept of public facilities. Students need to grasp the definition of public facilities and understand why government intervention is vital in their provision, thereby assuming overall responsibility. By referring to CBSE Notes Class 8 Civics Chapter 7 – Public Facilities, students can gain a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and effectively prepare for their exams.