Chittoor Collector launches urgent safe‑water drive for villages

District Collector Sumit Kumar on Wednesday ordered immediate action to secure safe drinking water for all village habitations in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, directing Rural Water Supply engineers to launch ground‑level execution using available funds, The Hindu reported.

What steps are being taken to upgrade water infrastructure?

The administration will prepare cost estimates of ₹25 lakh to ₹30 lakh per mandal for projects such as new pipelines, public taps, network repairs and additional borewells, according to The Hindu.

Which communities and mandals are the focus of the scheme?

Special attention will be given to SC/ST hamlets, minority habitations and urban slums with strained water systems, and officials have identified 13 priority mandals including Kuppam, Shanthipuram, Gudupalle, V Kota, Yadamarri, Peddapanjani, Ramakuppam and Puthalapattu, The Hindu said.

How will water quality be monitored after the upgrades?

Storage tanks must be cleaned every 15 days under the direct supervision and sign‑off of engineers, with panchayat secretaries facing disciplinary notices for lapses; welfare hostels will undergo mandatory water‑quality testing and bi‑monthly inspections to ensure safe drinking water for students, The Hindu noted.