Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 14 December 2024
Water ATMs installed across Sri Vijaya Puram under the ambitious Smart City Project have become glaring examples of wasteful expenditure. Installed at significant public expense, many of these units have remained non-functional for an extended period, raising concerns about their procurement, maintenance, and overall utility.
Public frustration over mismanagement of funds in Sri Vijaya Puram is palpable, with many pointing to the defunct Water ATMs as a prime example. While these installations were intended to provide affordable drinking water, residents claim the ATMs worked briefly before falling into disrepair. Since then, they have been reduced to little more than an eyesore, occupying public spaces without serving their intended purpose.
This issue is not new. Nicobar Times, in a video story published on 1st March 2023, highlighted the widespread dysfunctionality of these Water ATMs. Over 21 months later, the situation remains unchanged.
The installation of these Water ATMs reportedly involved a significant outlay of public funds. Critics argue that the resources spent on this failed project could have been directed towards more impactful initiatives to benefit Sri Vijaya Puram’s residents.
Public outrage has also fuelled calls for a comprehensive investigation into the project. Questions have been raised about the quality of the procured Water ATMs, the transparency of the procurement process, and the contracts awarded for their maintenance. Some allege that corruption may have played a role in the selection of substandard equipment.
Experts and residents alike are urging authorities to assess the quality of the Water ATMs and evaluate whether the funds spent align with the value received. Additionally, there is a growing demand to identify officers responsible for the project’s failure and hold them accountable.
The non-functional Water ATMs should either be repaired and made operational or sold to recover some of the public funds before the equipment becomes entirely obsolete.
As the defunct Water ATMs remain a testament to inefficiency, public anger continues to mount. Authorities are being urged to initiate a thorough investigation to uncover the reasons behind the project’s collapse, ensure accountability, and prevent similar wasteful expenditures in the future.
Sri Vijaya Puram’s residents deserve better governance, and restoring public trust will require decisive action to address this glaring failure.