Visakhapatnam Water Crisis: GVMC Unveils Action Plan to Ensure Adequate Supply
In a bid to mitigate the drinking water crisis in Visakhapatnam, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has rolled out a special action plan to ensure that citizens do not face any hardship in meeting their water requirements. According to GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg, the civic body is operating on a war footing to supply water to water-scarcity-affected areas by deploying around 400 trips per day with 102 tankers.
Water Levels and Reservoir Status
The GVMC Commissioner assured that the water levels in all reservoirs are sufficient, and the civic body is continuously monitoring the status of the major water sources supplying water to the city. The present water level in Mudasarlova Reservoir stands at 154.11 feet, with a supply of 0.50 MGD (2.27 MLD). To meet the water requirements in areas surrounding Mudasarlova Reservoir, officials have been directed to accord special priority to wards 11, 12, and 13 in Arilova and deploy tankers from all available filling points to ensure adequate water supply. Additionally, the Commissioner has directed officials to prioritize the water requirements in the Bheemunipatnam area.
Dial-A-Tanker Service: Progress and Challenges
Under the ‘Dial-A-Tanker service, the GVMC has received 977 requests, of which 619 tanker deliveries have been completed. Unfortunately, 50 requests remained unattended due to non-response/cancellation by citizens, and 308 requests are pending. Commissioner Garg has directed the officials concerned to accord top priority to the pending requests and make every possible effort to supply water at the earliest.
Citizen Engagement and Water Booking
Citizens can log in to the official GVMC website, gvmc.gov.in, and book a water tanker through ‘e-Booking’, ‘Water Tanker Booking’ by entering the required quantity of water, area, purpose, and other necessary details. Tankers will be allotted on a first-in, first-out basis, subject to tanker availability and operational needs. For citizens who require assistance with their water requirements, GVMC has made available toll-free numbers – 1800 4250 0009 (COC cell) and WhatsApp numbers – 9014218870, 8187897569, and mobile number – 7386001360.
Monitoring and Implementation
Commissioner Garg has assured that he is continuously monitoring the special action plan being implemented to address water scarcity. The civic body is working tirelessly to ensure that citizens receive adequate water supply, and the GVMC is committed to addressing the water crisis in Visakhapatnam. With the implementation of this action plan, the GVMC is confident that it can meet the drinking water requirements of citizens and provide relief to those affected by the water scarcity.