Suez 24x7 contractors in Coimbatore demand extra payment for pipeline connections, residents say

COIMBATORE: Residents of Kottaimedu area have alleged that SUEZ 24x7 project contractors have demanded extra payments for installation of pipelines and individual house connections.

Residents complained that three households with existing connections were asked to pay Rs 3,000 each. Similar grievances have been reported from Ramanathapuram, Puliyakulam and Sidhapudur too, raising concerns about irregularities in the execution of the water supply project.J P Nazeer of Ibrahim Hajiyar Street in Ward 82 said, "Last week, workers laying pipelines demanded extra money, claiming our house, along with two others, was 30 feet away from the road.

Initially, they asked us to show the documents of the existing connection, saying only then would it be replaced with the SUEZ connection. Later, they came up with another reason and demanded extra charges.” Nazeer, who is an auto driver, said UPI transaction could not be made since the worker had no access to it. “Women in the three houses handed over the money in cash. When I returned home, my wife informed me that they had spent extra money.

I inquired about this in the neighbouring street, but their connections were all replaced free of cost."Ward 41 councillor Santhi C said, "Similar issues were reported earlier, including in my ward. The contractor is to be blamed when field engineers fail to notice such misconduct by workers. As per the contract terms, SUEZ does not demand any money for replacing existing connections. However, for new house service connections, the public should pay the deposit and show the receipt, after which connections will be provided.

"Responding to these complaints, a corporation officer said, "Any discrepancy can be rectified. Existing users need not pay any extra amount. If they have already paid, measures will be taken to refund the money. The public can immediately report such incidents to the corporation, and strict action will be taken against the contractor."