Water tanker lorries are the main lifeline in many of Kochi’s villages

The city may well take pride in her title as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. But the Queen’s subjects are often left anxiously waiting for non-descript water tankers arranged by the authorities to roll in to their neighbourhoods to quench their thirst. Whether or not the tankers supply quality water or comply with hygiene and sanitation parameters, statistics explain why it may be necessary to include them in the list of essential services.