Vizianagaram stares at water scarcity

Vizianagaram: The district administration has been searching for sources to get water and to supply to the households in the town. Actually, the town is getting water from Champavathi of Nellimarla and from Tatipudi reservoirs. But unfortunately, both sources had dried up and even the borewells in this town were also dried up. Now the people are running after the water tankers and some are purchasing water from private mineral water plants.

Presently, people are getting municipal water only twice in a week. Now the water supply officials and municipal administration is planning to get water from Thotapalli reservoir, though it is away from the town. The plan can be materialised if the irrigation officials cooperate, they say. As per the proposed plan, water from Thotapalli would be carried to Gadigedda, nearer to Vizianagaram.

But annual maintenance works are progressing on the channel of Thotapalli. After the completion of those works, water will be released through that canal and will reach Gadigedda. Muncipal Chairperson of Vizianagaram P Ramakrishna stated, ``We are working on water supply, this is most important work for us. We will bring water at any cost from Thotapalli and supply to the people.''

On the other side, the rural water supply (RWS) department is also planning to take up water supply schemes in villages of the district. At present around 75 works relating to water supply out of 126 are under progress as a part of 'Swajala' scheme which is being undertaken with the budget of Rs.28 crores to provide water to the villages, Mandal head-quarters in Parvathipuram division. Each state and Union government would spend 45 per cent of funds and remaining 10 per cent amount would be spent by the concerned Panchayats under Swajal scheme.

Y Govinda Rao, Executive Engineer of rural water supply (RWS) division said that they are sanctioning Rs.2 lakhs to every panchayat for renovation, maintenance of the water schemes. As of now, the water levels in Pedda Gedda is enough for 20 days to supply to many villages in Parvathipuram division,' he said.