Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Anakapalli Villages Face Water Crisis and Health Issues Due to 15 Years of Quarrying
Imagine some villages that have lived near a big rock-digging place for 15 years.
At first, they could easily get water from wells that weren't very deep.
But because so much digging has happened, the water in those shallow wells is gone.
Now, they have to dig much, much deeper, but the water they get is dirty and makes people sick.
A nearby stream that used to help give them water has also completely dried up.
The villagers are asking for clean water, but they haven't received help yet.
They are worried about their health because of the bad water.
15 years of granite quarrying in Anakapalli district has led to water scarcity and pollution in three villages.
Villages of Chinna Goregadda, Peddagurugadda, and Seetha Bandhalu are affected, with former shallow wells now dry or yielding contaminated water.
A local stream, Macchuporugedda, has completely dried up due to quarrying activities.
Residents report serious health problems linked to consuming the polluted water.
Villagers have appealed to local authorities for a mineral water plant and inspection, but assurances from past meetings remain unimplemented.
- Who
- Residents of Chinna Goregadda, Peddagurugadda, and Seetha Bandhalu villages in Anakapalli district
- What
- Experiencing a severe water shortage and health problems due to contaminated water, attributed to 15 years of granite quarrying in the surrounding areas.
- When
- Over the past 15 years, with current issues intensifying.
- Where
- Auruwada panchayat, V. Madugula mandal, Anakapalli district, India.
- Why
- Excessive granite quarrying operations have depleted groundwater and polluted existing water sources, including a local stream.
- Location
- Auruwada panchayat, V. Madugula mandal, Anakapalli district
- Affected Villages
- Chinna Goregadda, Peddagurugadda, Seetha Bandhalu
- Duration of Quarrying
- 15 years
- Number of Quarries
- Nearly 10 in the panchayat, with six in the affected villages
- Water Source Changes
- Hand pump depths increased from 40ft to 200m, stream dried up
- Health Impact
- Contaminated water causing serious health problems