Hyderabad: In the name of ‘booster charge’, the Metropolitan Water Board is collecting Rs 40 per connection, per month. The board staff is presently on the collection job at Father Balaiah Nagar – Alwal, Sainikpuri, Bhagyanagar and Banjara hills citing installation of boosters to increase water pressure.
Though they are collecting booster charges the supply (pressure) remains unchanged, said residents. Several areas, especially those receiving low pressure are being charged. Booster is a submersible electrical pump (up to 10 feet) to increase the supply pressure and quantity of water. The booster is installed on the pipeline with a separate meter (also a separate electrical bill) when the supply begins, the pump will boost the pressure.
Mr Y. Agna Narayana of Ramachandraiah Colony, West Venkatapuram, said, tap water is leaking through a broken pipe near the park resulting in less water supply to residents, despite paying the booster charge. The line man opening the valves is aware of this and has reported it, but no action was taken.
“People of Jyothinagar, Ashok Nagar, R.C.Pur-am are using motors to draw water from the pipeline affecting pressure and no water is coming to most residents,” added Mr J.V. Ramana Rao, resident of Ashok Nagar. While Hyderabad water board officials said, “Localities in the twin cities receive water supply by two ways, gravity and by pumping, areas receiving through gravity are not being charged, however where ever pumping is done Rs 40 per connection per month is being imposed. In case of apartments the charge is per house. For instance, if the apartment comprises of 20 flats a bulk amount of Rs 800 is being collected per month.
The electricity board has as well hiked the charges. The Rs 40 is charged mainly towards electricity bill. Once the boosters are installed the pressure will increase by 100 percent.”
