A groundbreaking initiative is underway in Uddanam, located in the Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh. The initiative intends to provide clean drinking water to a community that has long battled the devastating consequences of contaminated groundwater.
Wave of Change
The region witnessed a surge in kidney diseases, affecting 35,000 individuals in 2015 due to the contamination of underground water sources. The government, gauging the gravity of the situation, launched a comprehensive initiative to provide safe drinking water to the residents of Uddanam. The initiative is part of the Jal Jeevan Mission, a rural water supply scheme by the central government.
This project focuses on the Uddanam area, covering seven mandals – Vajrapu Kothuru, Palasa, Mandasa, Sompeta, Kaviti, Kanchili, and Ichchapuram. It aims to bring relief to 807 habitations, with a population of 5,57,633 (as per the 2011 census) which is projected to touch 7.82 lakhs by 2051.
Sustainable Water Source
The lifeline of this project is the Vamsadhara River water, sourced from the Hiramandalam Reservoir, with an impressive capacity of 19.359 thousand Million Cubic (TMC) feet. A substantial 1.12 TMC has been allocated to meet the drinking water needs of the region. The scale of this initiative is evident in the vast network of pipelines laid across the region. The project has a total pipeline length of 1,100 kilometers, including MS, DI, and HDPE pipelines, weighing 32,000 metric tons.
Four strategically located pump houses at Bhaliyaputtuga, Sahallaputtuga, Jalantharakota, and Peddanelavathi – houses six pumping machines. What sets this project apart is the provision of multiple pumping machines for a confined area, a pioneering move in the realm of rural water schemes in India. One of its unique features is its dedication to providing a round-the-clock water supply, reflected in the design, with 22 hours of pumping.
Uddanam’s Resurgence
The second phase of this project includes an additional 200 kilometers of pipelines, benefiting an additional four lakh people across five mandals – Ellampeta, Hiramandalam, Kothuru, Patapatnam, and Meliaputti.
Beyond the pipes, pumps, and reservoirs, the Uddanam Drinking Water Project is a lifeline for the people of this region. It promises health, prosperity, and a better quality of life. As the water flows through the intricate network, it carries not just H2O but the hopes and dreams of scores of people who have endured the hardships of water scarcity for too long.