67% of water pipelines replaced

Anantapur: The age-old city drinking water pipelines are in for a major overhaul. All old pipelines which are leaking and responsible for seepage of gutter water into the drinking water pipelines are totally being discarded and new pipelines are being laid and new overhead tanks are also being constructed, thanks to the Rs 190-crore World Bank aided drinking water project.

An international firm ‘Indian Hume Pipes Private Limited’ is executing the multi-crore project which is a boon to the citizens of the city. In the past, drinking water used to be contaminated due to its leakages at multiple points. These water pipelines were passing through gutters and drinking water used to be contaminated and were the cause for several gastro-diseases.

Now, with the implementation of the World Bank aided project, the health of the citizens have been secured. About 67 per cent of the enormous job of laying new pipelines of 368 km have been completed and the remaining work will be completed before the end of December 2018.

So far, Rs 101 crore had been released to complete more than 60 per cent of pipeline works out of which Rs 81.78 crore had been spent on the completed works and the remaining 33 per cent of works would be completed before the year end.

As many as 7 of the 11 new elevated service reservoirs have been completed. Water will be stored in these reservoirs and supplied to 41,000 tap connections. So far 11,518 tap connections have already been given to their households.

Already pipelines have been completed in 279 km area out of the 368.538 km area. Road restoration works to the damaged roads caused by digging for laying new pipelines are also in full swing. Municipal Commissioner PVVS Murthy is actively supervising the prestigious drinking water project works to ensure its completion before year end.

Speaking to The Hans India, Murthy said that the city is in for a new look and major overhaul. It is undergoing a major transformation. He added that he was happy to preside over the destiny of the eternal city. Many new and innovative things are happening including laying of new roads, construction of bridges, beautification of the city, development of parks and gymnasiums and the current drinking water project.

Proposals for an underground drainage project had been sent for HUDCO loan and when it comes through, the city will experience a transformation. The city is getting 50 MLD of water from the PABR dam per day.

The city has 23 overhead tanks and is supplying water on a daily basis to 50 per cent of the city while the remaining 50 per cent of the population is getting water supply on alternate days, according to APMDP Executive Engineer Mallikharjunappa.