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Soak pits turn garbage bins
Digging of rainwater soak pits to recharge groundwater in the district proved futile as there are no rains in the last six months. The district had achieved a record of digging 1.36 lakh soak pits as against the target of 1 lakh pits. On the instructions of the Chief Minister, soak pits were dug in the premises of government institutions and private organisations for water conservation and rechar
Chittoor: Digging of rainwater soak pits to recharge groundwater in the district proved futile as there are no rains in the last six months. The district had achieved a record of digging 1.36 lakh soak pits as against the target of 1 lakh pits.
Highlights:
- 1.36 lakh rainwater soak pits dug with Rs 22 crore in the district
- Only 2,340 soak pits are being properly maintained and 50,000 are in neglected state
On the instructions of the Chief Minister, soak pits were dug in the premises of government institutions and private organisations for water conservation and recharge of groundwater tables.
The District Water Management Agency (DWMA) was given the task of digging soak pits across the district with the support of elected representatives. Groundwater levels fell drastically in the district with no rains reported in the last six months. The state government had declared all the 65 mandals in the district drought-hit. Recently, the government has instructed the DWMA to ascertain the usage and maintenance of the soak pits.
According to the sources, only 2,340 soak pits are being properly maintained from the total of 1.36 lakh. About 50,000 soak pits are in neglected state and remaining used as garbage bins. The government had spent Rs 22 crore towards the construction of soak pits in the district under ‘Smart Village-Smart Ward’ programme.
Speaking to The Hans India here on Monday, ZP Chairperson Girvani Chandra Prakash has admitted that no water recharge has been recorded in the soak pits due to lack of rains. A special drive would be initiated soon to keep the soak pits as pre the prescribed standards, she said.
By C Prabhakar Rao
