The situation entered danger zone in over 1,000 villages.
The situation entered danger zone in over 1,000 villages.
Last year, the state government tried to supply drinking water by hiring private water tankers.
Situation in Karimnagar district is worst with the groundwater table falling to 16 metres.
The 24×7 free power being provided to agriculture since January 1 is also cited as a factor to the depleting groundwater level.
Funds have been stopped to all the drinking water schemes under the pretext of the Mission Bhagiratha.
With the work progressing at a slow pace, chances of the Mission Bhagiratha water reaching households in summer are remote.
So far, laying of main pipeline works to draw water from Krishna and Godavari rivers for Mission Bhagiratha has been completed.
However, contractors are delaying the intra-pipeline laying works under one pretext or the other.
While right of way has become a problem with property owners and farmers refusing to allow pipelines in some districts, people are opposing digging up of roads and not restoring them later to lay pipes.