Steel plant may not meet its water need

VSP pressing for 32 mgd of water as against the 25 to 27 mgd being presently utilised. Sources in GVMC say its utilisation has been less than that of the plant in the past but coming up of new projects increased its use.

With rainfall continuing to be scanty, demand for water for various sectors is growing. While the drinking water needs of GVMC have gone up, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is also pressing for supply of water to meet its needs. For both GVMC and VSP the supply from Yeleru canal has turned out to be critical.

VSP has been pressing for 32 mgd of water as against the 25 to 27 mgd being presently utilised. However, GVMC is not in a position to increase the supply for a number of reasons. The Yeleru canal had been closed for 75 days for repairs in January and water was released to farmers in East Godavari in March and April following a Government memo, sources in GVMC say. On the other hand, GVMC cannot draw 27 mgd of water from Raiwada as in the past owing to diversion by farmers after the agricultural season has begun, particularly in the backdrop of the poor rainfall this season so far. Lack of adequate supply may turn critical for the steel plant too.

Sources in GVMC say its utilisation has been less than that of the plant in the past but coming up of new projects increased its use. For instance a new drinking water project at Gajuwaka necessitated taking an additional 5 to 6 mgd.

This year the consumption by GVMC has increased gradually since April when it drew 13 mgd, followed by 25 mgd in May and 27 mgd in June. The Steel Plant drew 23 mgd, 26 mgd and 25 mgd for the three months.

What prevents fully meeting the needs of the steel plant is the weak condition of the bunds of Yeleru Canal. Presently, 120 mgd is being released but only half of it realised. “More cannot be released because the bunds of the canal are weak and only 50 km. of the canal is lined. If more water is released bunds may breach disrupting supply for a few weeks,” says a senior GVMC official. If the bunds are strengthened the carrying capacity can be increased by 10 to 15 per cent thereby enabling supply of 32 mgd for VSP, it was learnt.

With the situation turning critical, the Chief Secretary has convened a meeting with the CMD of the Steel Plant, the District Collector, GVMC Commissioner and Irrigation and APIIC officials on July 24.