Urban Development Minister Dr P. Narayana has instructed officials to take steps to ensure that there is no shortage of drinking water in urban areas. A teleconference was held on Friday on the issues of summer action plan and drinking water shortage in urban areas.
He asked the officials about water supply through tankers, filling of summer storage tanks, repairs of borewells and other issues and got details. He asked them to tell what the officials have done so far on the steps to be taken in Rayalaseema areas and Prakasam district.
Later, the Minister said that there should be no delay in the issue of drinking water supply in the context of the possibility of high intensity of this summer. He said that issues such as filling tanks first, repairing repaired boreholes, and deepening them in areas where water level has decreased should not be neglected and work should start from now.
He said that in view of the severity of the problem in Prakasam district, more priority should be given there. He said that water is still being supplied to 1343 wards in 43 municipalities every other day, and there are chances of water shortages there, and he ordered precautions.
He asked that water be supplied through tankers if necessary in urban areas where water is supplied once in three days. He suggested that tankers should be taken in advance in all municipalities and that there should be no rush at the last minute.
He also said that the commissioners can take direct action regarding borewell repairs. He said that funds can be released from the emergency account immediately. He warned that strict action will be taken if the work is delayed in the name of funds.
He said that there are more problems especially in the suburban areas, and special attention should be paid there. At the same time, he suggested that special attention should be paid to sanitation. Urban Development Department Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar, Director Sampath Kumar, Engineer in Chief Marianna and others participated in the teleconference.
