No check to water theft from canal

Akiveedu: Even though the district administration has announced advance khariff, farmers in Akiveedu mandal were not happy as water theft from canal is going unchecked.

Some traders have started new business of selling water lifted from the Venkayya-Vayyeru canal.

They have been selling the water to aqua farmers and cold storages in neighbouring Krishna district, the farmers alleged.

The theft of canal water is being reported at the stretch between Juvvalapalem bridge to Akiveedu bypass road.

In spite of warnings by authorities, theft of water using engines was taking place. Tankers are used for lifting the water and no official has stopped the illegal act.

Venkayya-Vayyeru canal is the only source of drinking water and irrigation to the people from Akiveedu mandal to Kalla mandal.

Both the Rural Water Supply and Irrigation authorities have been maintaining calm over the illegal act. Their inaction is giving strength to the traders who have been indulging in theft.

Hundreds of farmers have been depending on the canal and some of them even try for bores as the supply would be inadequate.

Under these circumstances, the farmers are puzzled about the inaction of authorities.