Incomplete storage tanks pose problems for water supply in Tirupati

Tirupati: Though the Water Resource Department (WRD) was able to bring Krishna river water to Chittoor district, construction of summer storage tanks has not been completed in the district to store water and the officials are in worry how to store water for summer usage.

The tank works in Punganuru and Madanapalle have not yet been completed. As part of Handri Neeva phase -2, state government had completed digging of Punganur main branch canal from Kadiri Cherlopalli reservoir in Anantapur district to Chittoor district via Mandanapalli covering more than 210 km.

WRD had planned to construct two summer storage tanks, one at Chippili village near Madanapalle and another one at Guttakindapalli near Punganur to supply drinking water to the two towns.

Construction of one summer storage tank had begun a year ago and the works are progressing at snail's pace. This year, about 15 days ago, officials released 1 tmcft of Krishna water from Kadiri Cherollopalli reservoir to Punganur Branch Canal. Till date, only 60 per cent of reservoir works have been completed and with available facilities, officials can store water only 45 for days.

Besides that one year ago, Public Health department had constructed two water purification plants in Punganur at a cost of Rs 20 crore. The two water plants are also not in working condition. WRD officials are trying to complete Chippili storage tank work as early as possible. But it may not be possible to complete the two summer storage tanks to store adequate Krishna water for the use of Madanapalle and Punganur towns.