Chokkanalli Water Meet - 10th March ' 2005.
The water situation in the village was discussed. Briefed the villagers about the Sigur water project and explained in detail the five components of the project. The villagers said the DFO has sanctioned a diesel motor for pumping of water from the stream. They feel a check dam is required and free current for the motor. They say the status now regarding the pump is that the current bill is not paid for months because of its enormous bill which they cannot afford to pay. The bill is about 9,000 Rs/- and they have a fund of about 6,000/- only. The EB has disconnected the line now. They have no water for irrigation now.
Regarding the drinking water the Panchayat provides water through pumping from the water source to the tank daily for 2 hours (1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening). They say it is not enough though there is street distribution.
There is a dug well for the village, but the water storage capacity and the seepage of water is very less, but the dug well for the Gem Park hotel has more water percolation.
During the rainy season the stream water is not used and we have an old tank where the water is drawn from which has a spring source. So far there has been no reporting of diseases or sickness in the village. The stream water was perennial when until the Kamaraj Sagar dam was built at Thalaikundha which has blocked the stream, unless they open the water at the dam the don't get water.. This year they have not opened the water. During the rainy seasons there will be some amount of water flow.
The villagers have suggested water from the Sutton Estate area, but the government has refused due to long distance and many other reasons. They had talked to the Kadanadu panchayat president Mrs. Sumithra. They had written for free current to be supplied for the motor also. They say the filled pots with water get holes after two days of storing and the colour is not natural.
They say recently 11 bore wells have been done in the nearby private properties which are about 300 feet deep. There are other disputes regarding the area demarcation between the tribal lands and the private land holdings. Problems exists for upper areas in the village for water in terms of irrigation and drinking water. Water is available for drinking purposes during the dry seasons, but no water for irrigation.
