Water connection drive fails to take off in Guntur

Mela a big hit; efforts on to complete work, claims Municipal Commissioner

Even after the State government modified guidelines simplifying the process of giving new water connections, urban local bodies are finding it difficult cope with the situation.

The fresh guidelines released by the Municipal Administration Department made it possible for households whose property tax does not exceed ₹500 to apply for a new connection by paying just ₹200.

Norms eased

Earlier, it was mandatory for BPL families to have white ration card. Even for non-BPL families, it has now become possible to get a new connection by paying a deposit of ₹7,525 if the site area is below 150 square yards in eight half-yearly instalments and in the case of the general category, the deposit is ₹22,525 if the site area exceeds 239 square yards, payable eight half-yearly instalments.

Row over survey

In Guntur, a survey conducted by a contractor engaged for giving new connections under the Amrut scheme revealed that 56,000 new ones could be given. The contractor had even procured material for 16,000 connections, but has managed to provide only about 2,000 till date.

The engineering wing of the GMC objected to the survey saying that there were discrepancies and accordingly, the contractor decided to undertake a fresh one.

The stand-off between the contractor and the engineering wing stalled the project for two years until the GMC decided to conduct a new tap connection mela.

Admitting that there has been a delay, Municipal Commissioner Srikesh B. Latkar said that the GMC launched a tap connection mela to receive more applications.

“We have launched a drive to receive new applications and the response has been good. The contractor has been shying away from providing new connections and we are making efforts to complete the work,’’ Mr. Srikesh said.