DC Report Propels Officials To Visit Fluoride-Affected Rolugunta in Anakapalli District
In Rolugunta alone, 250 families of Erukula tribes, Dalits, and poor are suffering without safe drinking water.
VISAKHAPATNAM: The report titled “Fluoride-hit villages await water for 25 years” published in Deccan Chronicle on Thursday, August 27, has prompted a swift response from local authorities.
Following the report, Anakapalle MPDO Nageswara Rao and panchayat secretary A.E. Ramesh Babu visited the Dalit and Erukula (ST) tribal colony in Rolugunta of Anakapalli district on Thursday.
The officials interacted with the affected villagers, who have demanded immediate supply of water through tankers until a permanent solution is finalised and implemented. Groundwater is scarce across seven villages due to sand mining and quarrying for black rock. In Rolugunta alone, 250 families of Erukula tribes, Dalits, and poor are suffering without safe drinking water.
Decades ago, three borewells had been dug in the Varaha River at Janakirampuram. Their water had been pumped to a tank of one‑lakh‑litre capacity, which supplied water to Rolugunta via pipelines. Water supply failed due to sand mining in the area around the borewells.
In 2021–22, Rs 6 crore had been sanctioned under the Jal Jeevan Mission. But due to lack of progress, the funds had been withdrawn. A fresh proposal under the Amrut Dhara scheme has been submitted for another ₹6 crore. Its approval is pending.
Tribal association leader Edala Srinu, CPM district executive member K. Govinda Rao, Dalit leader Petla Appa Rao, and others joined the MPDO and panchayat secretary officials during their inspection.
The area leaders reiterated that families staying in the region have been waiting for safe drinking water over the past 25 years. They requested authorities to act without any further delay.
MPDO Nageswara Rao responded saying he would submit a detailed report to the higher authorities, suggesting both short and long‑term solutions.