More than 100 villagers, including women, staged a road blockade in Thekkalur village near Thiruttani in Tiruvallur district, protesting the disruption of drinking water supply for the past 15 days due to a malfunctioning borewell.
According to residents, the panchayat administration had installed a borewell and laid pipelines to provide drinking water to the village. However, the borewell reportedly became non-functional two weeks ago, bringing water supply to a halt and causing severe hardship to residents. Villagers alleged that despite repeatedly submitting complaints to the panchayat secretary, no action was taken to restore the supply.
Frustrated by the delay, residents gathered on the Poonamallee Road carrying empty water pots and launched a road blockade, demanding immediate restoration of drinking water services. The protest led to major traffic disruptions along the stretch.
Police personnel rushed to the spot and held talks with the protesters, assuring them that arrangements would be made to provide drinking water immediately. However, the protesters refused to withdraw the agitation, insisting on concrete action. Police subsequently removed several protesters from the road and detained them.
The situation escalated when villagers surrounded the bus carrying the detained protesters and demanded their release. Following continued protests, the police released those who had been taken into custody.
Later, TVK district secretary Dilli Babu arrived at the spot and held discussions with the villagers. He assured them that he would take up the matter with the concerned officials and that steps would be taken to repair the borewell and restore drinking water supply at the earliest.
திருவள்ளூர் மாவட்டம் திருத்தணி அருகே குடிநீர் கேட்டு சாலை மறியல் போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்ட பொதுமக்களை போலீசார் கைது செய்தனர் #Thiruthani #Protest #PublicProtest #Arrests #WaterDemand #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/J7EZu7ERds
— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) June 1, 2026
Residents also highlighted a range of civic issues affecting nearby Lingampatti’s Annanagar Colony. They alleged that their street had been deprived of regular drinking water supply for prolonged periods despite repeated complaints to panchayat authorities. Villagers further complained about the absence of proper roads, non-functioning streetlights, drainage-related issues and inadequate maintenance of public infrastructure.
According to residents, repeated petitions and representations to government officials had failed to yield results. They stated that poor civic amenities had left children, elderly residents and families struggling with unsafe living conditions, particularly during the rainy season when stagnant water, insects and snakes posed additional risks.
“எங்க தெருவுக்கு மட்டும் தண்ணீர் வரல”- குடிநீர் விநியோகம் இல்லை எனக்கூறி காலிக்குடங்களுடன் மக்கள் சாலை மறியல் போராட்டம்#waterissue | #Kovilpatti | #Protest pic.twitter.com/7kDsZTLop2
— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) June 1, 2026
The protest over drinking water supply and basic civic amenities created significant tension in the area before officials assured residents that corrective measures would be initiated.
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