Visakhapatnam: Villagers from hilltop tribal hamlet stage protest for drinking water
19 Feb 2025 5:28 PM
Even after the lapse of two months, the villagers are not seeing any sign of progress. Several enquiries by the villagers have fallen on a deaf ear.
Tap water. (Representational Image)
Visakhapatnam: After being deprived of access to clean drinking water facility for long, members of the Kondadora tribe comprising 40 families and 180 individuals, residing at Buriga village, in Alluri Sitarama Raju district of Ananthagiri Mandal — staged a protest, keeping empty vessels on their head. The protesting villagers were demanding clean drinking water facility. The villagers are forced to use contaminated water from a well often leading to sickness.
Several villagers, including Somula Chandramma, Somula Sannamma, and Buruga Kothamma, Buruga Appalaraju, a member of the Ward number 10 under Rompelli panchayat, made a representation to PO Abhishek Goud for drinking water facility as well as the construction of a village road.
In 2023, a bore well was dug and a water lifting motor pump was installed at Buriga village under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The RWS assistant engineer assured the community that the water supply would commence once electricity connection was provided. But nothing happened after that, said a villager.
Even after the lapse of two months, the villagers are not seeing any sign of progress. Several enquiries by the villagers have fallen on a deaf ear.
Not having an alternative source of clean drinking water facility, the villagers are forced to consume water from an open well filled with garbage and filth. The proliferation of algae in the water is causing health issues to several villagers. An ASHA activist Buriga Suramma said that drinking from the well is causing cold and fever to those using it.
Buriga Ravi (6), Buriga Kavitha (4), Somula Rama Rao (55), Buruga Mallamma (54), Somulu Kothamma (56), and Galipathi Anushka are undergoing treatment at the S. Kota Area Hospital.
Gummakota PHC officials had established a medical camp at the village ten days ago to address the health issues the villagers are facing due to the consumption of contaminated water.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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