The Government of Andhra Pradesh has given an assurance to the Visakhapatnam steel plant management that it will extend all possible help to tide over the present water crisis, according to a press release.

The assurance was given to P Madhusudan, CMD of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), who called on the Chief Secretary, Sathya Prakash Tucker, in Hyderabad on Thursday. Madhusudan briefed the Chief Secretary on the present status of operation of the plant and critical issues related to water.

The Chief Secretary indicated that instructions had been given to the authorities concerned and the water requirement of RINL would be met comprehensively.

Incidentally, the RINL is among the lowest water consuming steel plants in the country, and the Chief Secretary was informed by the Chairman that all possible measures to economise on water consumption were being taken by the steel plant.

In another statement, the Steel Plant Employees' Union has criticised the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) for failing to supply enough water to keep the plant going.

J Simhachalam, vice-president of the union, said the steel plant was the major stakeholder in the Visakhapatnam Industrial Water Supply Company and the plant was paying Rs 13.50 per 1,000 litres of water. Yet there was not enough supply from the Yeleru canal to the Kanithi balancing reservoir of the steel plant.

Against the requirement of 40 MGD, only 23 MGD of water was being supplied, making the water supply position critical for the operation of the plant. Immediate steps should be taken by the AP Government to address the water problem, the union leader demanded.

sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in

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