Water ATMs go dry in LB Nagar

LB Nagar: The aim of installing water ATMs is to provide cool and safe drinking water to commuters, pedestrians and the urban poor, especially during the peak summer months. Ironically, the ATMs have failed to meet the goals, because of non-maintenance even as the mercury levels are soaring.

It may be recalled that the Greater Hyderabad Municipality Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) in collaboration with a private firm installed water ATMs across the city with the aim of providing pure drinking water at a very low price round-the-clock through coin operation mechanism. But, the good intention has not been realised largely.

The ATMs installed at Nagole, Vanasthalipuram, BN Reddy Nagar and Hastinapuram have been functional only for a maximum of four months after their installation. People are expressing ire that GHMC and HMWSSB are spending lakhs of rupees on such facilities and failing to ensure their upkeep after initial euphoria. They demand that the officials concerned should be taken to task for failure of such a noble scheme.

When contacted, HMWSSB DGM Srinivas Reddy said that he has not received orders towards maintenance of ATMs. He said he was concerned only with water supply.

AMHO Manjula Vani said the issue of defunct ATMs has not been brought to her notice. She said she would discuss the issue with officials concerned and would take steps to repair them.