VISAKHAPATNAM: All the localities in the city will get drinking water for 45 minutes on alternate days.

``Some parts of the city, particularly those in the upland areas, are not even getting water on alternate days at present.

The situation has been reviewed, stock taken of the availability of water from various sources and a plan worked out at an official meeting, to ensure water supply for 45 minutes every other day,'' Visakhapatnam-II MLA S. Ranga Raju, told reporters here on Thursday.

Severe crisis

Acknowledging that the city was facing a severe water crisis, he said that a schedule detailing timings for supply of water would also be released, sparing people the trouble of waiting in queue for long. Supply by 148 tankers to slum areas in his constituency would also be continued.

``It has also been decided to allot a site for the construction of a water tank near the TB Hospital to improve supply in the areas falling under Wards 27,28 and 29,'' Mr. Ranga Raju disclosed. Digging new borewells would not be allowed and the GO issued by the erstwhile Telugu Desam Party Government would be implemented, he stated. The step had been necessitated since digging new borewells was leading to old borewells running dry because of the precarious groundwater situation.

The MLA warned of action against private water tankers charging exorbitant rates from residents, particularly apartment complexes. Such tankers would be blacklisted.

His reaction on water supply came after two protests by the TDP deploring the delay in bringing the Godavari water to the city and the poor water supply position and one by Congress ally CPI(M).

However, he declined that the present move was his party's answer to those protests.

Major hurdle

Work on the Narava filtration plant, proving to be a major hurdle for the completion of the Godavari water project which will provide a relief to the city, is getting delayed because of the excess amount contractors are quoting, according to Mr. Ranga Raju.

The tenders were being quoted at 80 per cent more than the estimated cost, he told reporters here on Thursday.

That would amount to spending an additional Rs.32 crores on the project, he said.

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