AP Govt Plans Faster Multi-Village Water Schemes to Combat Rural Shortages

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has directed officials to treat rural drinking water safety as a top governance priority, warning that the government will show zero tolerance toward lapses in water quality .

Chairing a high-level review meeting with senior Rural Water Supply officials in Mangalagiri, the Deputy CM stressed that access to clean water is directly linked to public health, especially in villages where groundwater contamination and seasonal shortages continue to affect daily life.

Pawan Kalyan instructed district collectors to personally monitor the cleaning of filter beds in every gram panchayat and ensure the work is completed within a month. He said maintenance failures in rural water systems should not put people’s health at risk.

The Deputy CM also ordered officials to scientifically identify areas where groundwater contains dangerous levels of fluoride, arsenic, and salinity . He called for the rapid installation of advanced purification systems in vulnerable regions so that households receive safe water not only for drinking, but also for cooking, bathing, and other domestic use.

Raising concerns over the long-term health impact of contaminated water, Pawan Kalyan asked departments to work closely with the Health Ministry to launch a time-bound action plan . He suggested conducting medical camps in affected villages to identify water-borne illnesses and skin-related diseases at an early stage.

Special focus was placed on protecting children and students in rural areas. The Deputy CM directed officials to provide Field Testing Kits (FTKs) at hostels and Anganwadi centres for continuous monitoring of drinking water quality. He said children’s health must remain a non-negotiable priority for the administration.

The review meeting also focused on the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission , under which Andhra Pradesh is expanding tap water access across rural households. Officials were instructed to accelerate all pending works and complete projects within the scheduled timelines.

Pawan Kalyan said drinking water projects approved for nearly 3,000 water-scarce villages should be executed on a war footing. He added that he would personally visit severely affected villages to assess ground realities and understand public grievances firsthand.

The Deputy CM further reviewed the status of ongoing multi-village water supply schemes in East Godavari, West Godavari, Palnadu, Prakasam, and Chittoor districts. Warning officials against delays, he instructed them to fix monthly targets and ensure visible progress on the ground.

He also directed departments to quickly complete preliminary clearances for seven newly sanctioned multi-village drinking water projects and begin field-level work without delay, signalling the government’s intent to fast-track rural water infrastructure across Andhra Pradesh.