‘Complete drinking water supply works within 2 months’

Anantapur: Raptadu MLA Paritala Sunitha and district Collector O Anand assessed progress in Atmakuru, Anantapur Rural and Raptadu mandals, identifying completed sections and pending works, during a review meeting on Jal Jeevan Mission drinking water works in Raptadu constituency, at Anantapur Collectorate on Thursday.

MLA Sunitha stressed the need to complete the works on a war footing to ensure early drinking water supply to villages. She noted that Sai Pavani company had taken up works worth Rs 40 crore in Anantapur Rural mandal, of which Rs 18 crore has been executed and bills for Rs 15.50 crore processed, leaving Rs 2.50 crore pending and Rs 22 crore still to be done.

Saraswati Company works in Atmakur, valued at Rs 50.43 crore, have seen Rs 38 crore executed with Rs 34 crore paid, while Rs 12.43 crore remains. Both contractors have completed only about 50% of their work across multiple villages. Pending items include a 600-metre pipeline near PABR Dam, filter beds, motors, the HNSS canal bridge, OHSR tanks, sumps and mini-tanks. She also raised the issue of unpaid salaries to Satya Sai workers.

Collector Anand directed officials and contractors to finish the works within two months, targeting 30 villages amid El Niño-related water stress. He ordered immediate installation of new sand filters (Rs 60 lakh), expedited orders for Kirloskar pumps within 3-4 days, approval of revised estimates within a week, and completion of remaining 350-metre pipelines in one month. He called for monthly reviews, immediate handover of pending land near PABR Dam, and allocation of 10 cents behind Oddupalli substation for a PPT.

RWS SE K Srinivasulu, Raptadu DE Sridhar, AEs and contractors participated in the meeting.

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The Hans India