No plan to restore daily water supply

By J.S. Ifthekhar

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 20. While the heavy inflows in the reservoirs supplying drinking water to the city might be a cause of concern for some, those living on the outskirts can feel elated. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has decided to supply water to 39 habitations in Ghatkesar and Hayathnagar.

People living in these areas have been demanding protected water supply for many years in view of the fluoride content in groundwater. But, their request was put on the backburner for one reason or the other. Now, with all the three reservoirs brimming with water, the Board has planned to supply water to Ghatkesar and Hayathnagar. Water will be released to test the pipelines in a couple of days and regular supply will be introduced shortly thereafter, said Mr. M.G. Gopal, Managing Director, HMWSSB.

However, the Board has no plans to restore daily supply to the city in spite of the comfortable water position. The pipeline network, rusted and worn out, is simply not in a position to withstand the water pressure if daily supply is introduced. For the same reason there is no proposal to augment the quantum of water supplied on alternate days. The pipelines would develop leaks and the tail-end areas would also suffer. "Moreover, daily water supply is not a felt need", Mr. Gopal said.

Right now, the Board is concentrating on quality supply, making sure that the time and duration of supply is strictly adhered to. Consumers of several localities in both old and new city still complained of erratic supply. "When the commitment on alternate day supply is not being kept properly, where is the question of introducing daily supply", he asked.

Another area the Board is trying to streamline is revenue collection. A concerted effort is underway to recover arrears of Rs.70 crores due from the consumers over the years. Among the bulk consumers, the IDPL alone has to pay Rs.27 crores to the Board. On Wednesday, the Board became richer by Rs.44 lakhs with the A.P. Housing Board paying arrears for the Kukatpally housing area.

Mr. Gopal declined to say whether there is any proposal to increase the water tariff. However, he admitted that the Board is in the process of working out the actual cost incurred by it for water supply and the rate of recovery division-wise. "A satisfied consumer will be ready to pay more and we hope to improve the consumer satisfaction", the HMWSSB chief remarked.

Meanwhile, the Board stopped the discharge from the Osmansagar reservoir on Wednesday morning after 300 cusecs of water was released at 7 a.m. The total inflows in Osmansagar, Himayatsagar, Singur and Manjira were 0.227 tmcft on Wednesday.

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