Date:29/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/03/29/stories/2005032908200400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Long march for safe drinking water

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, MARCH 28. Over a thousand people from Ibrahimpatnam mandal in adjoining Ranga Reddy district walked over 40 km on Monday from the mandal headquarters town seeking Krishna waters to quench their thirst.

The `padayatra' organised by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) was flagged off at Ibrahimpatnam by the party's State secretary, B.V. Raghavulu. Those who walked the distance, unmindful of the scorching sun, included M. Narasimha, party's MLA from Ibrahimpatnam and D.G. Narasimha Rao, district secretary.

At I.S. Sadan, they were addressed by party leaders, including the Kurnool MLA, M.A. Gafoor. The leaders said that for long people in Ibrahimpatnam had been suffering for want of potable water. "We get water once in 10 days. And the groundwater is full of fluoride. ," they said.

The issue was raised during zero hour in the Assembly by Gafoor. The Mines and Geology Minister, P. Sabitha Reddy, said the tender process would be completed and work would be commenced shortly.