KMC Laying New Pipeline: Water Crisis To Be Solved by Tuesday
Kakinada: The Kakinada Municipal Corporation (KMC) is laying a new pipeline at a cost of Rs 22 crore, subsequent to NH road works, and this caused drinking water problems for some areas. The problem would be solved by Tuesday, officials said.
The reservoir at Samalkot stores canal water, which KMC brings to Kakinada through a pipeline. But, the National Highways proposed an NH road from Achampet to Samalkot. The old pipeline falls under the road.
The National Highways Authority released the `22 crore to KMC to lay the pipeline and civic body would link the new pipeline to the old pipeline.
Meanwhile, the authorities found leakages in some of the pipelines in the city and this affected the supply of drinking water to the people.
Meanwhile, people of several areas like Dummulapeta, Sanjay Nagar, Dairy Farm centre etc are facing the drinking water problem.
The BJP alleged that the Kakinada Municipal Corporation (KMC) has failed in supplying drinking water to people as it had not taken prior steps to avoid the leakages and store water during the summer.
BJP official spokesperson Yarlagadda Ramkumar said the central government released crores to KMC as a part of the AMRUT scheme – the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation. but the officials failed in its proper utilization.
“Kakinada is facing a drinking water problem during the summer and an inundation problem during the rainy season. The government should order a detailed probe into this,” he said.
BJP leader Duvvuri Subrahmanyam said officials were working in KMC for years together without any transfers, under the influence of politicians. “They are serving the political representatives, but not for the people. When the pipes got repaired, the officials did not sort out the problems.”
The Kakinada Poura Samkshema Sangham convener Dusarlapudi Ramana Raju said that during the rains, the pipeline water mingled with the drainage water and the KMC kept supplying the same water to the people. They should repair such leaks in pipelines immediately and provide pure drinking water. The health of the people would otherwise be affected. During the rainy season, it will not be possible to curb the leakages, he pointed out.
Kakinada municipal commissioner Venkata Rao visited Dummulapeta, Sanjay Nagar, the Dairy Farm centre and other areas and advised superintendent engineer Satya Kumari to sort out the pipeline leakage problems.
He said that the Sashikanth Nagar pipeline has leaks and hence the water supply could be stopped from May 23. “Drinking water is being supplied through 14 water tankers. If anybody faces a drinking water problem, they may inform the officials through 9849906507, 9959799138, 9676770461 and 9848471415.”
Satya Kumari told Deccan Chronicle that the drinking water problem was due to the laying of the new pipeline. “We have already informed the people about the inconvenience to them.”
She said the pipeline works would be completed by Monday. Drinking water tankers are making 100 to 105 trips to the affected areas, she added.
