We are not responsible for complaints over pollution, says HMWSSB

On receiving a complaint about water pollution and certain persons being hospitalised from Chilkalguda Railways Quarters, the HMWSSB swung in to action promptly.

A team of officers led by Director(Operations), G Rameshwara Rao & Director(P&A) Azmeera Krishna inspected the sump at Chilkalguda Railway Quarters. The water was found to be yellowish in colour and when RC (Residual Chlorine) was checked it was found to be nil. The water was dewatered immediately.

The HMWSSB gives bulk supply of over a million gallons of water per day to Railway Authorities. The Railways in turn are responsible for internal distribution.

The off-take point from where the bulk supply is given ie., Control Room, Paradise by the Board, the presence of RC(Residual Chlorine) was checked and found to be 0.2ppm-well within prescribed limits.

Similarly, the inlet point to where the bulk water supply is given i.e, Railway Sheep Mandi Reservoir, near Bible House to Railways, the RC(Residual Chlorine) was checked. It was also found to be within prescribed norms.

From Railways Sheep Mandi Reservoir, the Railways are responsible for internal distribution. The Board officials advised the Railways authorities to clean the sump and regularly monitor the presence of RC(Residual Chlorine) at Chilkalguda Railway Quarters to avoid pollution.

The Board officials also visited the Railway Hospital, Mettuguda and verified that on July 4, 29 persons were reported as O.P(Out Patients) from different areas and on July 5, 28 persons were reported to hospital from different areas under Railways jurisdiction, out of which only three persons were said to be reported from Chilkalguda Railway Quarters.

In toto, the sent out information saying that it gives bulk supply to Railways, which in turn are responsible for monitoring internal distribution and supplying safe drinking water. The Board finds itself in no way responsible for the incident.