HMWS&SB to install emergency pumps at Puttamgandi

Hyderabad: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a near-normal South West Monsoon in the country. As a backup just in case the monsoons aren't as predicted, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) has decided to install emergency pumps at Puttamgandi ensuring uninterrupted water supply from Nagarjunasagar to the city, following the instructions from the Irrigation Department .

The Water Board had earlier appealed to the Irrigation Department to maintain the water level at 510 feet in Nagarjunasagar project. Following Krishna River Management Board's (KRMB) water release order to meet the drinking water and irrigation requirements of TS and AP, the Irrigation Department took measures to maintain the 510 feet level for as long as possible.

In case of delayed monsoon, the Irrigation wing has instructed Water Board to make emergency pumping arrangements to draw water below Minimum Draw Down Level of Nagarjunasagar up to 505 feet water level as was done in the previous years. Following this instruction, the Water Board is installing 10 pumps and an electrical substation to operate the pumps, costing around Rs 2.8 crore. Officials said that about five km power cable lines have to be laid and the pumps have to be overhauled for the purpose.

The project is said to be completed within 25 and 30 days; tenders have been called to execute the tasks. A senior official from HMWS&SB stated that the water level in the project is 511.5 feet at present and with the current reserves, there will be no need for any emergency pumps till the end of May."The pumps will be operated only if there is a delayed monsoon. This summer, there is no water supply problem for the city," assured the official.