Tap water is the only option throughout the year for the residents here

• No water at Kalyanpura Mudutonse, Kemmannu Padutonse

Malpe:  Since most area of Kalyanpura Mudutonse village contains salt water, it normally faces lack of drinking water during the summer seasons. Though the area is surrounded by rivers, the residents have to depend solely on the tap water due to salt content in the water or because the water is red. Even then, in the month of April, water tankers are a must here. The panchayat is trying its best to get the situation into control.

Areas affected by the problem?

Kela Nejar, Kadavina Bagilu, Mudu Kudru, Mudubettu, Honnappakudru, Oggekudru areas within the limits of Kalyanpura GP limits keep facing the yearly problem of lack of drinking water as the month of March reaches its end. During this period, water is supplied to the residents through water tankers.

More problem in Kela Nejar area

Kela Nejar area is more affected by the lack of drinking water. Sometimes, the residents of the schedule cast colony in Kela Nejar area are left without water for 4-5 days. Last year an open well was dug at Edabettu and Kela Nejar respectively. Hence, it is being said that this year, the chances of facing water problem could be less.

Kemmannu Padutonse GP

There are rivers on either sides of Kemmannu Padutonse area and also, it is bordered by the sea on its west. There are 3-4 islands here. Though the areas are surrounded by water, the water is salt water and therefore, the residents are compelled to depend on the panchayat water for throughout the year. However, till now the situation has not reached to the extent where water tankers had to be deployed to fulfill water requirement.

Old well on the verge of collapse

 The old well near Kemmannu Gooddam which was supplying water to both Kalyanpura and Kemmannu villages is on the verge of collapsing. Already two stones have gone and the slab has collapsed. In case the well collapses, then both the villages will face water problems.

Maintenance of wells necessary

Though the well near Bagarabettu within Kalyanpura GP limits has many sources of water, due to lack of maintenance, there is grass and garbage within the well. In the same way, due to the lack of cover to the well near Kemmannu Junior college, it too is filled with garbage. Attention needs to be given towards the maintenance of the wells.

Only assurances

“Several times proposals have been sent to the TP and ZP in connection to the repair of the wells. Last year, the ZP has assured us that Rs 15 lakh would be set aside for the well repair works. Till now there has been no response. If the well is lost, there will be problems,” said Fausiya Sadik, president, Tonse GP

Tanker water

“For now, there is no drinking water problem being faced anywhere in the village. If the problem arises after April, water will be provided through water tankers,” informed Pushpa, president, Kalyanpura GP

Proposal to construct an overhead tank

“The problem at Kalyanpura is receding by the year. Last year, Rs 2 lakh was spent to provide water through tankers. But even more money was spent for the year prior. Since the pipeline connection to the SC colony was not functioning correct, there was a problem. Now it has ben repaired. A proposal has been sent to the government for the construction of a new overhead tank near Nejar, “said Suresh, PDO, Kalyanpura GP

Article by Nataraj Malpe translated into English by Aaron Dmello