GVMC cracks down on illegal groundwater extraction by hospitals
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has launched inspections to stop hospitals from illegally extracting groundwater. Officials warn that unauthorized borewells are depleting water supplies for local residents.
Why it matters
Illegal groundwater extraction poses a significant threat to urban water security and public resource management.
Officials of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) conducted surprise inspections at several hospitals in Arilova Health City on Tuesday following reports that unauthorised extraction of groundwater was affecting the drinking water supply to nearby residential areas.
The inspections revealed that some hospitals, despite having obtained GVMC bulk water connections, were not using them and were instead drawing large quantities of groundwater through borewells. A few hospitals had not obtained GVMC bulk water connections at all and were entirely dependent on groundwater extracted through borewells without the required permissions.
In a release, GVMC Superintending Engineer (Water Supply) Pallam Raju said the unauthorised extraction of groundwater was contributing to drinking water shortages in the surrounding localities.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in