Water scarcity shuts Sri Krishna Devaraya University hostels

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Anantapur: Severe drinking water scarcity has forced authorities to close the Sri Krishna Devaraya University for the past few days. With less than one-third of the required water being received by the varsity, the hostels have been closed till further announcement.
Depletion of groundwater has badly hit water sources of SK varsity for the last three years. But, the situation has been the worst this year. Official sources said, the varsity needs a minimum of 10 lakh litres of drinking water per a day to meet the demand of hostels, administrative buildings and staff quarters.Presently, three women's hostel  and six men's hostel, are operational  for  post graduation and law graduates.
SK Varsity has depended purely on bore-wells drilled at Pandameru channel and Satyasaibaba Water project for its water requirements over  the last one decade after bore wells dried up in the university campus due to  fall in groundwater table. The varsity authorities had  an agreement with the Satya Saibaba drinking water project until the  last academic year.
Presently, water is  being supplied on alternative days from the drinking water project as also from the bore wells at Pandameru channel.
“We are drawing only  4lakh litres of water everyday which is insufficient to meet the demand of the university campus  which requires a minimum 10 lakh litres,” an official said.
The varsity authorities closed the  hostels for a week during the time when Samaikyandhra movement rocked the region. But, the real reason was drinking water scarcity.
University vice-chancellor Prof K. Ramakr-ishna Reddy had met  the district administration including Anantapur MP Ananta Venkatarami Reddy, seeking permanent remedy to the  situation. The authorities had also met represented to allocated direct pipeline for the varsity.
Sources said, the hostels and classes are likely to open from  the end of July if water problem is resolved. Meanwhile, the new hostel building under  construction will  accommodate almost 1000 students of engineering,  pharmacy and other courses.