VISAKHAPATNAM: With reports suggesting a harsh summer ahead, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is planning to draw additional 50 cusecs of water from both the Yeleru Canal and Katheru Pump House against the current supply of 250 cusecs, to quench the thirst of the city.
GVMC commissioner J Pravin Kumar, who inspected Kateru Pump House at Kateru village near Rajahmundry and Yeleru Left Main Canal (YLMC) near Yeleswaram Wednesday, was informed by engineers that the Yeleru canal had a storage of 74.6 m against its dead storage level of 72.5 m. Water from the canal is currently being supplied to the city by gravity pull, without the need to pump it out, and the situation would continue for another 25-30 days. Similarly, water in the Kateru Pump House would be sufficient to meet the requirement for the next 20-25 days.
However, the authorities are concerned about the situation when the water level in both the water bodies touch the dead storage level. To prevent the same, the officials are planning to initate necessary steps.
Since only two of the five motor pumps at Kateru Pump House are in working condition and the water level is decreasing further, the Visakha Industrial Water Supply Company (VIWSCO) officials have been told to call for tenders for constructing a separate approach channel to bring water to the pump house at an expense of `49 crore.
While water from the Yeleru Canal is being pumped out as of now, four more motors would be set up in future. In order to ensure free flow of the additional 50 cusecs of water, the officials are strengthening the canals.
Meanwhile, the civic commissioner directed the officials concerned to repair the breaches in the pipelines which carry water from these canals to the city. “The water in the canals at present would be sufficient to meet the requirements for another 25-30 days. Motors for pumping water from the water bodies would be arranged within 10-15 days. We’ll speak to the officials concerned if we need to draw water from Thatipudi or other sources and ensure that the water requirement is met this summer,” said Pravin Kumar.