The water crisis faced by Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, has brought into focus the failure of the powers-that-be to have a long-term planning to meet water requirement of the industries.
The situation at VSP is turning from bad to worse due to falling inflows into Yeleswaram Reservoir in East Godavari from where it gets water through Yeleru Canal. As against a commitment of 30 to 35 MGD, Visakhapatnam Industrial Supply Company (VIWSCO) maintained by the GVMC and the APIIC is releasing 23-25 MGD to Kaniti Balancing Reservoir (KBR). Due to thefts and evaporation, half of it is reaching KBR where the VSP is supposed to have buffer to meet three weeks requirement.
Sources told The Hindu that there was no proper planning by the VUDA, the GVMC and other agencies to meet industrial water requirement. Ironically, several agreements have been signed for supply of water for various industrial units coming up in the district.
As per VUDA projections, says former IAS officer and social activist E.A.S. Sarma, even if Polavaram project is grounded, 219 MGD will be available from all existing and future projects in the next 10 years. Out this, 145 MGD will be needed for drinking water.
Almost 60 per cent capacity of Raiwada Reservoir had shrunk due to encroachments of catchment area and heavy siltation. Irregular maintenance of Yeleru Canal has also affected the water availability.
During the farmers’ agitation led by former Minister Konathala Ramakrishna against diversion of 15 MGD from Raiwada to Visakhapatnam following a severe crisis in 1990s, a promise was made that they would compensate it once Polavaram is completed. “Thus out of 219 MGD to be made available in 10 years, only 59 MGD will be left out for industries,” Mr. Sarma pointed out and ridiculed on what basis the authorities committed supply of 10 MGD each to alumina refineries of Anrak and Jindal. Though there are doubts over bauxite mining projects following cancellation of bauxite supply agreements with Anrak and Jindal, it is not clear from where water will be supplied for Petroleum Corridor envisaged between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada in such a deplorable condition.
Sorry State of affairs
As against a commitment of 30 to 35 MGD, Visakhapatnam Industrial Supply Company (VIWSCO) is releasing 23-25 MGD to Kaniti Balancing Reservoir (KBR)
Due to thefts and evaporation, half of it is reaching KBR
Almost 60 per cent capacity of Raiwada Reservoir shrunk due to encroachments of catchment area and heavy siltation
Irregular maintenance of Yeleru Canal has also affected the water availability
