Hyderabad city to see severe water pangs

Hyderabad: The denizens of twin cities are in for a water shock. The Water Board has suspended the supply of water starting on Wednesday, and the disruption would continue till Friday morning. In certain areas, where the water supply is on alternate days, they would have to wait for four days till they get supply. The water supply cut-off began from 6 am on Wednesday.

Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has shut down water supply to carry out relocation of the pipeline in Siddipet at Kodakandla in Gajwel mandal in Siddipet district.

Major areas in north, west zone along with bordering localities of Sangareddy and Medchal district are going to be affected severely. This interruption of water supply will cause deprivation of 172 MGD (million gallons per day) water from Godavari for the use of state capital.

Reason for this unprecedented development is to facilitate the relocation of pipeline that supplies Godavari water to Hyderabad. The 3,000-mm diameter pipeline has become an obstruction to the gravity canal, which is being constructed under Kaleshwaram Project.

Though officials are saying the impact will be for two days, some areas will have to wait for five to six days. Water supply to half of the city is disrupted due to the ongoing works of Kaleshwaram project. HMWSSB officials say that there is no scope for alternative supply as the main junction of water transmission is completely closed for welding works and repairs.

Speaking to The Hans India, Sudharshan, Chief General Manager (Transmission), HMWSSB, said, "Manjeera, Singur, Osman Sagar Nizam Sagar have low inflows these years. The only alternative way to provide water from Singur line is not possible as it doesn't have enough water. As Singur saw a lower rainfall than the last year, around 20 million gallons of water will be in deficit in this coming summer. We can beat the summer water scarcity only if we use it wisely and preserve the precious resource for future."

The official said they constructed an obstruction pipeline through Mallama Sagar to Kondapochama Sagar for the Kaleshwaram Project so far. Recently, 70-meter obstruction pipelines were laid after bridge construction. Now, they need to connect the existing pipelines in two junctions and the works are underway.

Identified two main junctions and a leakage at Karimnagar is the only work left to do, and the works are likely to be completed in next 24 hours. "Although it is not possible, we arranged a few tankers from reservoirs to provide in utmost emergencies," said the official, adding, "Alternative arrangements are not always possible, but we always try to make alternative diversions for water supply to institutions such as NIMS through Prashasarnagar.

Some supply could be made provide to Sainikpuri." It would be very difficult to provide water supply especially to areas like Quthbullapur. There is no alternative lines to provide water to the entire constituency as it is connected with Singur. Singur and Manjeera command system lacks water to provide.

Only Godavari and Krishna command system has enough water to supply as for now. HMWSSB says it requires 36 hours to complete the pipeline works, but it sought 48 hours time to check if leakages could be identified and repairs carried out. 

Affected areas

Erragadda, Borabanda, Yellareddyguda, Yousufguda, SR Nagar, Ameerpet, Banjara Hills, Sanathnagar, Jubilee Hills, Kukatpally, KPHB, Moosapet, Balanagar, Bhagya Nagar, Bharat Nagar, Sanath Nagar, Chinthal, Jeedimetla, Shapurnagar, Suraram, Jagadgiri Gutta, Quthbullapur, Petbasheerabad, Defence Colony, Goutham Nagar, Prashant Nagar, Chanakyapuri, Malkajgiri, Father Balaiah Nagar, Alwal besides New OU Colony, Kailasagiri, Hafeezpet, Miyapur, Matrusri Nagar, Chandanagar, RC Puram Patancheru, Bolaram, Nizampet, Pragathinagar, Bachupally, Ameenpur and Mallampet will also be affected, besides Jawahar Nagar, Balajinagar, Keesara, Dammaiguda, Nagaram, Cheryal, Tumkunta, Pocharam, Singapur Township, Moula Ali, Lalapet, Tarnaka, Gun Rock, Cantonment Board and Turkapally Biotech Park.