The Hindu - Andhra Pradesh 11.08.2009
Water woes in Kadapa Municipal Corporation
Special Correspondent
| Drinking water will be supplied on alternate days, says Mayor |
Against a requirement of 49 MLD of water in the city, only 31.80 MLD of water is available
Mayor urges Chief Minister to release water from Srisailam reservoir to Pennar river
KADAPA: Supply of drinking water on alternate days began in Kadapa Municipal Corporation limits on Monday in view of grave depletion of water sources owing to deficient rainfall, Kadapa Mayor P. Raveendranatha Reddy said on Monday.
Water would be supplied on alternate days in 80 per cent of the corporation area, once in three days in Chinna Chowk area and once in five days in Ravindranagar and Kagithalapenta, which were on the outskirts of the city. A reservoir (one tmcft.capacity) being constructed near JMJ College here at a cost of Rs.480 crors to draw water from Somasila backwaters, would be completed by next summer, he said.
Gandi, Bugga and Lingampalli water works, which cater to the drinking water needs of Kadapa city were supplying 40.23 million litres per day (MLD) as against 56.36 MLD last month, the Mayor told a press conference.
Gandi water works supplied 13 MLD as against 15 MLD in the past and Lingampalli water works supplied 25.87 MLD now as against 40 MLD a month ago.
However, Bugga water works was supplying 1.36 MLD now as in the past, he added.
Kadapa Municipality jurisdiction, which was earlier spread in 6.84 sq. km with a population of 2,68,436, has extended to 164.08 sq. km with population grew to 40 lakh following its up-gradation as Kadapa Municipal Corporation owing to merger of 12 erstwhile gram panchayats, Mr. Reddy said.
Under normal conditions, entire Kadapa city required 49 MLD but the supply was 44 MLD till a month ago and it further fell to 31.80 MLD now, creating a demand-supply deficit of 18 MLD, he explained.
Against a requirement of 140 MLD per head, 120 MLD was being supplied, the Mayor said.
The water level in Pennar river has abnormally depleted and nine out of 31 power bores dried up. Twenty four power bores were functioning now after adding new filter points but two infiltration wells with siphon gallery dried up.
Nine new bores were drilled and motors fixed near Alamkhanpalli, three bores would be drilled with an expenditure of Rs.6 lakhs near Bugga water works and five new bores would be sunk near Lingampalli water works.
Toll free number
People could requisition for water tanker supply by calling toll-free phone Nos. 1913 or 1916, 98499 06660 (Municipal Engineer Sivarami Reddy) or 98499 06663 (Assistant Engineer Kareemullah).
The city has 29,000 water tap connections and the 300 pending applications for tap connections would be cleared only after water availability improves.
Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was urged to release water from Srisailam reservoir to Pennar river to help recharge of ground water, the Mayor said.
Municipal Commissioner S. Charles Umapathy, Municipal SE Varaprasada Rao also participated.
