NTR Sujala Scheme for 50 to 70 villages

Ministers, MLAs and Zilla Parishad chairman earlier announced that the scheme will be introduced in 700 villages in the first phase in the district. But, the response from philanthropists, trusts, voluntary organizations and other institutions were not very encouraging. However, 13 corporate companies, with the initiative and persuasion of the district collector Neethu Prasad, have come forward to install the plants in 319 villages in the district from their Corporate Social Responsibility funds.

District officials gave orders for Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant equipment for the companies concerned only three days ago. The RO equipments could not be procured in time for the villages; as a result, the programme could be for 70 villages or so in the district.

According to Rural Water Supply (RWS) officials, even though the programme has not started with a bang in the district, nevertheless the district is in the first position in the state. The RWS superintendent engineer R. P. Nanda Rao said that the government will provide buildings and water for these treatment plants from existing sources available in the villages and power subsidy for Rs 4 per unit will be given to the treatment plants.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Rajahmundry Asset is in the forefront to set up RO plants in the district. ONGC will set up RO plants in 50 villages in Mummidivaram, P. Gannavaram, Razole, Rjahmundry Rural and Rajanagaram assembly constituencies in 16 mandals. ONGC Kakinada has come forward for 10 villages in Pedda-puram and Samalkot mandals.

Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd. will take up 20 villages in Jaggampet and Mummidivaram constituencies, Cairn India at S.Yanam for 30 villages in Amalapuram, Mandapet and Kothapet assembly constituencies, GAIL for 40 villages in Rampachodavaram, Prathipadu, Ramachandrapuram and Anaparthi constituencies.

Kakinada Sea Port for 30 villages in Kakinada Rural, Pithapuram and Tuni constituencies, Tyche Industries for two villages in Kakinda Rural, Adani Wilmer Limited, Vakalapudi for two villages, HPCL for 15 villages in Anaparthi and Jaggampet, the East Godavari District Rice Millers Association for 30 villages in Mandapet, Anaparthi, Peddapuram, Prathipadu and Tuni constituencies, East Godavari District Builders Association for 30 villages, Kakinada Mini Goods and Auto Vehicles Owners and Drivers Association for 30 villages and Reliance Industries Limited will set up 30 plants in Mummidivaram and Kakinada Urban constituencies.