Supply of safe drinking water to every household under the Jal Jeevan Mission holds paramount importance, said Meenu Shukla Pathak, a representative of the Central government, during a high-level review meeting with the Chittoor and Annamayya district administrations on Saturday (June 7, 2025).
The Central team, comprising Ms. Pathak and S.P. Shetty, Chief Engineer, Haryana Government, held discussions with the senior officials from the Rural Water Works, Panchayati Raj, DRDA, and DWMA officials from the two districts.
Ms. Pathak said that the effective implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission initiative in the Rayalaseema should be taken seriously, considering the low rainfall and limited water resources in the region.
The officials of the RWS wing said that of 3,709 works sanctioned under the Jal Jeevan Mission, 2,225 had been completed, and the rest were in progress.
All 438 villages in Annamayya district have water quality testing labs, and various committees have been set up under the Collector’s supervision to monitor the progress and quality of the ongoing works, the officials said.
District Collector Sridhar Chamakuri informed the team that a ₹2,370-crore water grid project was launched in the district in April to supply drinking water from Gandikota and Velugallu reservoirs to 6,967 habitations in 44 mandals in Annamayya and Chittoor districts.
The project is expected to be completed in two phases by October 2027.
“The Phase-I will cover 241 panchayats in 18 mandals and supply 1.683 tmcft of water from Gandikota and 0.175 tmcft from Velugallu to the drought-hit region,” the Collector said.
Mr. Chamakuri highlighted the low rainfall in the southern part of the Rayalaseema region, with limited availability of groundwater. He underscored the need to provide safe drinking water to all households, particularly those in the rural area.
Published – June 08, 2025 05:27 am IST
