Date:21/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/21/stories/2008092154810600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

‘A boon for people in Kolleru area’

Staff Reporter

ELURU: Minister for Minor Irrigation Maganti Venkateswara Rao on Friday expressed the hope that the proposed Rs 3-crore Comprehensive Protective Drinking Water (CPW) Scheme would provide a lasting solution to the drinking water problem faced by people in Pedapadu mandal of West Godavari district.

Saline water

Minister for Home K. Jana Reddy laid a foundation stone for the scheme at Padapadu. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Babu said the scheme funded by the Rural Water Supply Department was designed to provide a little over 20,000 people in 17 villages under the Pedapadu mandal located on the peripheries of the Kolleru lake.

Consuming saline water

The local people complained that they were consuming saline water in view of the pollution of the surface waters on the belt villages of Kolleru, resulting in affecting their health.

The backwaters from the sea through Upputeru and Kolleru proved to be the cause for pollution of drinking water sources in and around Kolleru area.

Mr. Babu got into the driving seat of a brand new tractor to be distributed to a farmer at Tadikalapudi and drove it for some distance even as the Home Minister flagged it off.

The farmers obtained loans from the local Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS) for purchase of tractors.