Demand for construction of new reservoir in Vijayawada gets shriller

Vijayawada: There is a demand for construction of a reservoir for drinking water needs of Vijayawada city. Though the city is on the flood banks of Krishna river, but several areas are facing challenges in getting drinking water.

The city's population crossed 11 lakh long ago but still the local body is supplying drinking water with permitted plans. The people of some locations especially hilly areas are facing hardship to get drinking water.

City-based organisations like taxpayers association demand that the government construct a reservoir for drinking water needs of the city. Now the Krishna water is going into the sea as waste. The civil society organisations found fault with the government for stopping the works of a proposed reservoir on the upstream of Prakasam Barrage. Nearly 350 tmcft water was released into sea this year so far.

Presently, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) is supplying drinking water from its head waterworks unit located on the banks of river Krishna in the city. Though the local body is supplying water for majority areas of the city, nearly half of the citizens are depending on groundwater.

Majority of apartments are using groundwater. The low groundwater level in the city has been posing problems to the citizens particularly in the summer season.In this backdrop, representatives of civil society organisations recently submitted a representation to the State government on the importance of reservoir construction.

Tax Payers Association president V Sambi Reddy and secretary MV Anjaneyulu said that the city population crossed 10 lakh but still the city is depending upon the water storage at Prakasam Barrage.

Only 2 tmcft water can be stored with the main objective to provide water for power generation needs of Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station (NTTPS).Even the previous government started the barrage construction works at Damuluru-Vaikuntapuram on Krishna river with a view to store 10 tmcft water for drinking water needs.

But the YSRCP government is yet to take any decision on the construction of the proposed barrage. Retired bank officer M Suresh said that the government should have continued the barrage works. The water can be utilised for Vijayawada city needs also, he said.