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Water vendors making hay while sun shines
With drinking water supplied by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation contains pollutants, people are buying water from vendors. They are using water supplied by local filtration points which sell a can of 20 litres at Rs 25. As the water is served chilled, they are attracted by the private water sale points.
Vijayawada: With drinking water supplied by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation contains pollutants, people are buying water from vendors. They are using water supplied by local filtration points which sell a can of 20 litres at Rs 25. As the water is served chilled, they are attracted by the private water sale points.
Highlights:
- “Though no authority certified the water sold by private parties as pure and bacteria-free, there is a great demand for water as there is no alternative to municipal tap water,” says K Ravi, a bank employee
- NGOs set up water kiosks at different places in the city to quench the thirst of the common man
The demand for such water cans is heavy and people in hilly areas have also been fetching the water. “Though no authority certified the water sold by private parties as pure and bacteria-free, there is a great demand for water as there is no alternative to municipal tap water,” said K Ravi, a bank employee, who is also queued up for the water can.
Mercury rising steadily recording season’s highest temperature, people are not in a position to face the unusual heat wave conditions. The scorching sun intensifying from 11 am and heat wave persisting till late in the night. People are finding it difficult to cope with the heat.
“The water supplied by the municipal corporation has some bacteria which are causing children and elders suffer from motions. Diarrhoea is reported everywhere. More than 10 cases were reported every day, according to M Srinu, a technician in a clinical laboratory.
People have been complaining about change in water colour and taste in some areas. Especially, people residing at Fish Market, Anjaneya Vagu and Ramarajyanagar facing the problem as the pipelines carrying water are leaking for various reasons. People of these localities complained against the corporation for failure to respond quickly and prevent polluted water supply.
Meanwhile, the sale of soft drinks and juices has seen on the rise. “Soft drink sales have zoomed like anything. They are making a roaring business,” Ch Venu, a kiosk owner said.Various NGOs set up water kiosks at different places in the city. At Pandit Nehru Bus Station city terminal, Sri Satya Sai Organisation has been distributing drinking water and butter milk. Even political parties like YSRCP are also running the kiosks. The VMC is ahead of others by organising camps at many places by setting up tents. The local body is supplying cold water at all major centres.
By Noor Shaik
