Guntur Municipal Corporation Rolls Out Comprehensive Summer Water Strategy
In response to escalating temperatures, the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) has officially launched a robust ₹2.7 crore summer action plan aimed at guaranteeing uninterrupted and safe drinking water supply throughout the city. This initiative is designed to proactively address potential water shortages and enhance public health safeguards during the peak heat season.
Immediate Implementation and Accountability Measures
Municipal Commissioner K. Mayur Ashok has issued directives for the immediate execution of the plan, emphasizing strict accountability. He warned that any negligence resulting in water scarcity would be met with serious consequences, with engineering officials held personally responsible. The plan's core objectives include fortifying infrastructure, preventing contamination, and upgrading monitoring systems to ensure efficient water distribution.
Targeting Contamination Risks and Infrastructure Upgrades
A critical component of the plan involves addressing contamination threats. The engineering wing has identified 823 vulnerable points across 206 locations where water pipelines intersect with drainage channels, posing significant contamination risks. The GMC has prioritized the removal of these hazardous drain-cross pipelines and their replacement with safer alternatives to safeguard water quality.
To maintain stringent water quality standards, ward amenities secretaries have been instructed to collect a minimum of 10 water samples daily during supply hours. These samples must be tested for adequate chlorine levels, with results promptly uploaded to the APCM app. Assistant Engineers (AEs) and Deputy Executive Engineers (DEEs) are tasked with rigorous supervision to ensure compliance.
Financial Allocations and Groundwater Optimization
The corporation has allocated substantial funds to bolster water resources. A sum of ₹1 crore has been earmarked for laying new pipelines in areas experiencing shortages. Additionally, ₹50 lakh is designated for drilling new power bore wells, while ₹40 lakh will be utilized for repairing existing bore wells to optimize groundwater utilization and enhance supply reliability.
Emergency Response and Public Amenities
For merged areas facing acute water issues, the GMC has prepared six special water tankers to be kept on standby, enabling rapid deployment to supply drinking water on a war footing as needed. To provide immediate relief to residents, the corporation plans to establish 20 drinking water kiosks (chalivendrams) at busy locations across the city.
Further enhancing public comfort, green mat sheds will be installed at four major traffic junctions to offer respite from the intense heat during signal halts. Regular cleaning of all reservoirs has also been mandated within a fixed schedule to prevent sediment buildup and maintain water purity.
This comprehensive summer action plan underscores the GMC's commitment to ensuring water security and public well-being amid challenging climatic conditions, with a focus on infrastructure resilience and proactive management.
