Hyderabad: In a major achievement, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board has been able to save three tmc ft of water in Singur dam which can be supplied for almost six months to more than one-third of Greater Hyderabad.
The irrigation department wanted to release seven tmc ft of water to Nizamsagar for irrigation purpose to the downstream areas of Nizamabad and Medak districts.
However, officials of the Water Board cited a GO issued 22 years ago by the department itself, and restricted the release of water to only four tmc.
The issue went up to Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan who heard both parties. He asked the irrigation department to abide by the GO and to release 4 tmc ft water only.
HMWS&SB chief general manager Sundar Rami Reddy said, they had written to the chief secretary stating that there were apprehensions that the El-Nino effect may result in the failure of monsoon and in such a case, the water in Singur would be of utmost importance to the city.
“If the water levels fall below 516.5 ft in Singur, then Water Board has to take up emergency pumping from September and the water may not last up to the end of 2014,” added Mr Reddy.
