The lack of rainfall in Karnataka has brought the Cauvery Water dispute to the forefront, now making headlines in India. This issue is not a recent development in the nation, as many villages have been grappling with drought conditions for years. In a village near Vijayawada, situated in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, residents are facing significant challenges due to the dearth of fresh water in the area.
Despite its proximity to the Hyderabad National Highway and an estimated land value in crores, the village still relies on water from age-old wells dug some 70 to 80 years ago. Speaking with News18, villagers from Thotacherla in Penuganchiprolu Mandal said that the village is home to five wells, none of which provide suitable drinking water. To find a solution, the villagers have outfitted one of the wells with multiple motors to pump fresh water for drinking. Over a hundred meters of water pipes and power lines now crisscross the area.
Of the five wells in the village, one is located in Yadav Bazar, another in Ramalayam Centre, one in SC Mala Colony and two in SC Madiga Colony. Wealthier families in these villages spend lakhs to construct their boreholes for drinking water. However, the residents of the SC colony, unable to bear this financial burden, face tremendous difficulties in procuring freshwater.
While there are more than 2,000 people in the two SC colonies, only three wells provide freshwater, which is also unsuitable for drinking. Locals report having six hand pumps in the two colonies but only two are functional, leaving residents reliant on brackish wells and spring water.
They further stated that each well is equipped with about 50-60 motors, with an additional 20 motors within the well itself. Water is transported directly to homes through the network of pipes. Colony residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the financial strain of installing water pipes and covering electricity bills for these pumps, which are also situated a hundred feet from their houses. While water is available during the rainy season, the wells run dry in the summer. The locals urged the government officials to promptly address these issues in the area.