The Hindu 28.08.2009
Give priority to drinking water, says official
Staff Reporter
| Special Officer asks GVMC engineer to be ready with alternative plans to meet scarcity |
Official asks Collector to send proposal to reduce water for irrigation needs
Also supply to industries from Yeleru canal should be limited, he says
VISAKHAPATNAM: Special Officer for the district M.G. Gopal on Thursday directed officials to give top priority to drinking water and ensure supply of 70 litres per capita per day (lpcd) in urban areas and 40 lpcd in rural areas.
Reviewing the drought situation in the district, he said that according to the National Water Policy drinking water should get top most priority and supply to industry the least.
He directed Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation SE (Water Supply) V. Chandraiah to be ready with alternative plans as the present trend indicated scarcity of drinking water in the next few weeks.
He asked district Collector J. Syamala Rao to send proposal to reduce water for irrigation needs from Tatipudi and Raiwada reservoirs so as to increase drinking water supply.
Also, supply to industries from the Yeleru Canal should be reduced by duly notifying the units.
Water supply position at Bhimunipatnam and Anakapalle municipalities should be maintained at 70 lpcd.
Officials said owing to a deficit of 29 per cent in normal rainfall, 41 per cent of the normal extent was not covered under crops.
Joint Collector P. Satyanarayana Reddy, DMHO J. Sarojini, DRO D. Venkat Reddy, DRDA Project Director Bhaskarachary, Agriculture Joint Director Girija Sankar participated.
ITPI chapter
President and secretary-general respectively of the Institute of Town Planners of India (ITPI) Diwakar S Meshram and Pradeep Kumar on Thursday held discussions with VUDA Vice-Chairman V.N. Vishnu on various issues pertaining to planning and development in Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region . They were here in connection with the starting of the Visakhapatnam chapter of ITPI.
They were briefed on the master plan of the VMR, VUDA’s joint venture projects, the works taken up under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and other development activities.
Mr. Vishnu told them that VUDA was keen on maintaining regional balance by identifying growth centres.
It had made viable proposals for development of golden triangle covering Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle and Bheemunipatnam.
The golden triangle can contribute to the overall economic and social development in the region.
An effective and planned transport network was one of the major components of the triangle, Mr. Vishnu said.
VUDA would initiate plans and programmes for the overall development of world class facilities in the areas of infrastructure and all other related sectors in the VMR region covering 5,573.51 sq km, the Vice-Chairman added.
He felt that the starting of ITPI Visakhapatnam chapter would extend rich benefits to the region by way of training and giving professional guidance to town planners and other related personnel.
Mr. Meshram and Mr. Kapoor have assured Mr. Vishnu that they would associate themselves with the activities of VUDA.
Secretary A. Jagadeesh, Chief Urban Planner K. Anand Babu and OSD Y. Ramesh were present.
