One would think Rajahmundry, which is right on the bank of Godavari river, has no issues when it comes to drinking water. However, reality is different; those very issues pertaining to drinking water will play a major role in deciding who is going to be the next MLA of this urban constituency.
For long, people of Rajahmundry City Assembly constituency have been demanding shifting of the water intake point from the existing location in the river.
For the last 15 years, assurances are being given to address the problem, but they proved to be empty, with no steps taken to address the long standing demand.
The reason for the demand is contamination of river water at the place where the intake point is located to draw waters for supply to the city for drinking purposes.
The water is contaminated with effluents from sewerage channels emptying into the river, garbage being dumped and even the wastage and effluents from AAP Mills getting emptied into river at Venkatanagaram.
People are cut up with the civic authorities as it is a problem that affects their health directly. They demand alternate arrangements to ensure safe drinking water supply.
Another major problem in Rajahmundry City is underground drainage system, which is pending for nearly two decades.
Though a part of it had been completed at Danavaipeta, works in the remaining parts not getting grounded. Lack of proper sanitation facilities in the city, which is often claimed to be the cultural capital of Andhra, is having a telling affect on the health of its citizens.
Cleansing of the Godavari river, Nalla Channel and other water bodies is among the demands that need to be taken seriously by contesting candidates. Otherwise, they may not go far in convincing the voters of the advantage of voting for them in the elections.
Sitting MLA: Routhu Surya Prakash Rao
Party: Congress
Votes polled: 41,369
Margin of victory: 1,284
Runner-up: Gorantla Buchaiah Choudary
Party: Telugu Desam
Votes polled: 40,085
Total electors: 2,02,514
Men: 99,534
Women: 1,02,980
Poll percentage: 65.81
Total votes polled: 1,32,926
No of contestants: 10
Men: 10
Women: 0
Polling stations: 213
Avg per polling station: 950