Guntur: Guntur Municipal Corporation ( GMC ) is planning to fix meters for all domestic water connections in the city.GMC has in principle decided to handover the management of the entire drinking water supply system to a private agency, which proposes to fix the automatic water meters (AWM) for all the connections. At present, the GMC is collecting a nominal charge of Rs 80 per month for providing drinking water. The latest development comes at the backdrop of majority households complaining about meagre water supplies through dedicated schemes.“We are planning to launch 24x7 water supply scheme in one or two divisions on a pilot basis. The scheme will be expanded to other areas depending on the results derived from the pilot project. Fixation of meters is mandatory for providing 24x7 water,” said a senior engineering official. He said GMC will not charge on the basis of quantity used but additional charges will be applicable over and above the usage of minimum quantity.Sources said collection of metered charges will regulate drinking water usage and help fill the GMC coffers. “People use drinking water recklessly. It is used for washing of clothes and cleaning of toilets as it is freely available. If charges are applicable, water will be used judiciously,” said another senior official.However, the TDP leaders are worried. They fear that water meters ahead of elections might boomerang. “We fought against the fixing meters when we were in the opposition. How can we accept it now,” questioned a TDP leader.

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