The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Working on the network

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Monday, May 07, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Working on the network

What about quality infrastructure?

Hyderabad: Can the big plan of the Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy to revive daily drinking water supply in the city within six months be translated into reality?

The present scenario is not that cheerful despite consistent supplies. While the twin cities get alternate day supplies, the surrounding municipalities plagued by poor distribution network get water once in five days.

Residents of the erstwhile surrounding municipalities are in the throes of a drinking water supply shortage with the supply being barely half of the rapidly peaking demand. While the demand there was put at about 130 Million Gallons per Day (MGD), the supply was about 60 MGD of the 243 MGD it supplies to the entire city.

"Yes there is a shortfall, but we can meet it in a couple of weeks once the Krishna second phase is commissioned. We will be supplying an additional 40 MGD to the municipalities besides ensuring alternate day supplies," HMWSSB Managing Director K.S. Jawahar Reddy explained.

"The current volume of supply 243 MGD is the highest in board history and will continue. We are also planning to pump in another 10 to 15 MGD from Krishna by operating some more pumping stations," he affirmed.

Distribution

But are they ready to receive the additional volumes? Construction of reservoirs and new pipelines was on in the ex-municipalities, as they prepare themselves to receive the extra water. "Simultaneously we have also drawn long-term infrastructure plans and these require huge investment."

Master Plans were being prepared for water distribution network in all municipalities - two were completed - while sewerage Master Plans were completed baring the newly added Ramachandrapuram and Patancheru areas. HMWSSB put forth a massive estimate of Rs. 3,300 crore for total revamp and grounding the supply and distribution network in the municipalities - Rs. 1,800 crore for drinking water and Rs. 1,500 crore for sewerage network.

Only parts of L.B. Nagar, Uppal, Qutbullapur, Gaddiannaram and Kukatpally have underground sewers and everywhere else it is septic tanks including Hi-tec city region. "Constructing sewer lines and water supply lines will be a big challenge. It requires mega funds," he said.

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