The Hindu 20.04.2010
GVMC struggling to sink borewells
G.V.Prasada Sarma
| Contractors not coming forward for the work |
Number of tankers in the ‘Dial-a-tanker' scheme increased to seven
The number of trips a day goes up from 20 to 100
VISAKHAPATNAM: While it has a Summer Action Plan at an outlay of Rs.6.8 crore ready to tide over the current scarce water situation, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation is struggling to dig new bore-wells. Digging new borewells is a crucial component to provide relief to make up for the hardships faced by alternative day supply resorted to by the corporation owing to poor inflows into reservoirs that cater to the needs of the city.
In spite of finalising tenders for 150 borewells and giving work orders to four contractors they are not coming forward. This provoked the incharge Municipal Commissioner S. Krishna Murthy talking about invoking provisions of AP Water, Land and Trees Act (WALTA Act). The act makes seeking permission from the civic body to dig new borewells as well as registering of rigs by contractors mandatory.
The contractors prefer to use their rigs for digging borewells for private work rather than for the corporation. The main reason for this is the corporation allegedly delaying payment whereas individuals pay up as soon as the work is finished. “The GVMC has a credibility problem when it comes to payment to borewells dug,” admits a senior official.
Though the Summer has advanced, of the 150 borewells so far seven have been dug. The wells are being dug at places identified by the Groundwater Department, says Superintendent Engineer (Water Supply) V.Chandraiah responding to questions on the availability of groundwater. Each bore-well will be sunk up to 100 ft spending Rs.45,000. However, in the Dabagardens area water was struck at 200 ft and in the vicinity of Errigedda (Wards 31 and 32) at 150 ft.
Meanwhile the number of tankers in the ‘Dial-a-tanker' scheme of the GVMC has been increased to seven and the waiting period is three days. The number of trips a day rose to 100 now from about 20 in the Winter. Besides, for the free water supply by tankers about 250 trips are being made a day mainly covering Pendurthy and Gajuwaka areas.
Even in the Prajapadham programme that began on Monday, people were mainly complaining about inadequate water supply, Mr. Krishna Murthy told reporters on Monday. In Wards 2 and 3, the pre-moulded tanks set up by the corporation are being filled every day. It will now be extended to Ward 21 also.
