Hyderabad: There has been a 30 per cent decrease in bookings of drinking water tankers since the commencement of the 45 MGD Krishna Drinking Water Phase lll, Stage I.
Release of half of the promised 90 MGD of the project has not, however, quenched the city’s thirst and residents, especially in the peripheral areas, continue to depend on tankers.
Water is being released for short durations and on alternate or every fourth day — especially in areas that have no infrastructure like Malkajgiri. Tanker bookings at the Water Board filling stations are still going on with a waiting period.
Meanwhile, residents of areas where the new pipeline has been installed continue to receive muddy water, most of which is used only for washing.
Syed Hazarth Ali, a resident of Gayathri Residential Apartments, IDA Jeedimetla near APIIC Colony, said, “As per the agreement, the Water Board has to release 1980 KL of water every month — 220 fam-ilies (in our area) x 300 litres per family = 66,000 litres per day x 30 days = 19,80,000 liters per month. And they are billing for the 1980 KL; but in reality, much lesser quantity of water is being released every month and there has been no improvement even after the commencement of Krishna Phase III.”
Ashwin Naidu, a resident of Moghal Nagar Ring Road, said, “We are not receiving good supply of water since two weeks. We are paying the bills on time but aren’t getting the water. Other houses in our lane are facing the same problem. When contacted, the regional Water Board official said it was because of inadequate water pressure. When the pressure increases, we will receive water.”
Areas that are completely dependent on tankers are 70 per cent of the Secunderabad Cantonment Area, Anand Bagh, Ciefel Colony, Defence Colony, Kakatiya Nagar, Vinakya Nagar in Malkajgiri (some colonies of Malkajgiri, however, are now receiving water every four days).
There is no Manjeera connection to Sai Sagar enclave (100 families) and Mansarovar Heights (150 families) — Trimulgherry, Jeedimetla, L.B. Nagar, Uppal, Kapra and areas in the old city (Falaknuma).
“There’s been low water supply at ESWH Colony, Bharathnagar since March. We are all middle class families who buy water tankers. I request officials to visit our families and enquire about the supply frequently when the water supply is on,” said Neeraja Rao.
Contamination of water is also an issue. Shiva Kumar, general secretary of Musk Mahal Huda Colony, Attapur, added, “The colony residents have been receiving contaminated drinking water. I have already brought this to the notice of concerned authorities but they have done nothing. Many colony residents have been suffering from diarrhoea, officials should at least visit the area after receiving complaints.”
