The Hindu 15.06.2010
Second pipeline from Mangalagiri getting ready
Staff Reporter
| The Guntur channel is being provided concrete lining |
Guntur: The second water pipeline laid from Mangalagiri pumping station to Guntur is expected to be commissioned by July-end. This will enable Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) to supply more water from Krishna river for nine months in a year excluding summer. Besides, the Guntur channel is being provided concrete lining, for which GMC is to give a fresh commitment to bear 50 per cent of current cost of the project. The GMC had passed a resolution in October 2005 expressing readiness to contribute Rs 5.82 crore out of Rs 28.29 crore which was the total estimated cost calculated in that year.
Addressing the GMC general body meeting on Monday, Mayor Rayapati Mohan Sai Krishna said the second pipeline, Guntur channel and other related issues would be sorted out at the Irrigation Advisory Board meeting to be held in the first half of July.
MLC K.S. Lakshman Rao said the second pipeline from Mangalagiri had already been delayed and the periodic closure of Guntur channel for maintenance works severely hampered water supply. Urgent steps were therefore needed to be taken to streamline both water supply systems and stick to at least the revised schedules.
New flats
In response to Mr. Rao's suggestion to impose a temporary ban on construction of apartments in areas like Krishna Nagar and Vidya Nagar to prevent exploitation of the already depleted source of ground water, the Mayor said though the falling ground water table levels were of major concern, there would be no need to enforce a short - duration ban on apartment constructions as the second pipeline from Mangalagiri was bound to solve the water problem to a large extent.
As regards the conservation of water, GMC has announced a rebate of 10 per cent in property tax to apartments which construct rain water harvesting structures for artificially recharging the ground water table. Meanwhile, a survey would be conducted in the GMC to identify areas where ground water has fallen drastically, in order to take necessary remedial action in future.
The poor pass percentage in 10th class examinations in high schools under GMC management was an important topic on which the council members deliberated after MLC Lakshman Rao raised the issue. He observed that the GMC high schools pass percentage was well below the district average which stood at 87 percent. In addition to appointing qualified teachers and taking other such steps, GMC should have a full - time education officer who would take care of the performance of its high schools. The GMC has at present only a supervisor looking after its education affairs. The issue would be looked into, the Mayor replied.
Some council members brought to Mayor's notice the difficulty being faced by people due to shortage of staff in Town Planning and other departments. GMC has the Municipal Health Officer post lying vacant for a long time. Qualified personnel could be `outsourced' to improve civic services. The Mayor replied that he would write to the Municipal Administration Department seeking necessary clearances.
Joint Collector and in-charge municipal commissioner A Sarath was present.
