Visakhapatnam: YSRCP Visakhapatnam district president KK Raju flayed the coalition government’s negligence for the severe drinking water crisis the city is grappling with.
After visiting various colonies in Bheemunipatnam and north constituencies here on Tuesday, Raju demanded immediate action to address the water crisis and warned that the party would lay siege to the GVMC office if the problem is not resolved in four days.
KK Raju said that the state government failed to gear up for the water shortage despite clear warnings about poor rainfall.
No timely steps were taken to desilt or improve storage in the Mudasarlova, Tatipudi, Raiwada, Gambheeram and Meghadrigedda reservoirs, he criticised.
Residents in several areas are receiving water once in three days. People are forced to wait near taps. Madhurawada, PM Palem and Akkayyapalem are among the worst-hit areas, the YSRCP Visakhapatnam district president said.
KK Raju alleged that private tankers are exploiting the crisis by charging between Rs.3,000 and Rs 5,000 per load. He demanded an inquiry into allegations over the supply of GVMC tankers, marked for free drinking-water, for collecting money from residents.
“At a time when people are struggling to gain access to drinking water, the state government is focusing on expanding bars, wine outlets and belt shops,” Raju criticised.
He wondered what Visakhapatnam had gained from Polavaram and Godavari water and demanded adequate water supply to every colony, action against the water mafia and a probe into the diversion of water to industries and data centres.
