The Times of India         20.11.2013

Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation's 24x7 water supply project to be reality soon

VISAKHAPATNAM: The proposed 24x7 drinking water supply project for the residential areas in the North-West part of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) limits is all set to become a reality soon as the Centre has issued an in-principle approval to take up the project on a priority basis, GVMC commissioner MV Satyanarayana has said.

The commissioner was in New Delhi on Tuesday to give a power point presentation on various projects proposed by GVMC, including drinking water, to the working committee members of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

In a press release issued on Tuesday, the civic chief said that the Centre had positively responded to the drinking water project that is to be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 264 crore. As per the JNNURM rules, the Centre will provide 50% of the funds for the project to GVMC, while the state government will contribute 20% and remaining 30% will be borne by GVMC, he said.

GVMC will earn nearly Rs 12 crore annually by way of water charges if the project turns into a reality, the civic chief said, adding that a secretary level officer from the urban development department at Delhi will be visiting the city soon to review the project in detail and will meet with the people and local representatives.