KURNOOL: Even as the reservoirs and ponds are overflowing in the district, there is no respite from water scarcity for the people. With tube wells lying defunct and water sources getting dried up, the people in several villages are forced to fetch drinking water from ponds. Though the government has been implementing several schemes for resolving water crisis of about 50 lakh people, a majority of them are confined to records only, thanks to the corrupt contracts and vested interests of the political leaders.
The government has arranged for 14,000 hand pumps, 2,500 PWS schemes and 520 CPWS schemes apart from taking up several works under Swajaladhara, Ambedkar Jeevandhara, Hudco Finance and Rajiv Pallebata. Plans worth Rs 100 crore for every year were also proposed to meet the potable water needs in the district but in vain. For Mantralayam, Yammiganur and Kodumur constituencies, the Tungabadhra River is the only source for drinking water.