Authorities of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) have chalked out a plan to lay a new pipeline from the riverbed to Ramalingeswara Nagar 10 mgd plant to supply quality water.
The corporation estimates that it will cost Rs. 5 crore for laying 8-metre-dia pipes from intake well to the plant. The VMC will lay RCC pipelines to ensure that the water drawn from intake well is not contaminated.
Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana visited the 10 mgd plant here on Sunday. Officials explained him that the plant sank a few years ago. The existing pipelines were worn out and needed to be replaced, they said.
It may be recalled that huge cracks developed around the collection well of plant. The bed of collection well has been damaged and sand blew up. The problem acquired political tinge within no time. There was a lot of hubbub when the well sank by one-and-a-half feet. The issue faded out of memory of people as months passed with no concrete solution and water supply managed from other sources.
The VMC used to supply only 6 mgd from the plant though the installed capacity is 10 mgd and only 2.5 mgd after the well sank/tilted. The VMC made alternative arrangements. Now, the water is being supplied from Gunadala to areas such as Patamata.
The Minister later visited the ghats in the city to inspect the ongoing Pushkar works. The officials said that the apron near Prakasam Barrage was widened keeping in view of last Pushkaram’s accident. The apron width is increased three times the present width. A 2.1 km length ghat is being constructed near Bhavanipuram for ensuing Krishna Pushkarams. Chinese firm GIIC was preparing the designs for it, the officials said.
