Hyderabad: Almost all housing colonies in the city are facing water crisis. But Gulmohar Park Colony, near Serilingimpally, stands like an oasis, having never faced water shortage in 24 years.
The 40-acre colony established in 1992 has 600 plots. About 450 houses have been constructed, and 300 have water harvesting pits that are mostly located near borewells. The others have have not constructed the pits due to flat rocks found below.
The colony has 150 independent borewells, a common borewell and another at the local park. Plot owners who do not have borewells have also constructed water harvesting pits. All the 600 plots in the colony including open plots have at least one tree. The colony association’s initiative 15 years ago to build water harvesting pits is proving helpful now.
The groundwater level at the colony is between 350 and 600 feet deep. The IT corridor does not have water even at 1,500 feet. Colony association president Dr Shaik Khasim said the Water Board was supplying drinking water thrice a week and the association was supplying water from the common borewell for general use three days a week.
“Some people who constructed G+2 or G+3 houses to give out for rent are facing water shortage,” he said. The association bylaws prohibit the building of apartments in the colony.
“Our colony was meant for independent houses and we don’t allow apartments. Several builders tried to construct apartments but we persuaded them to withdraw. We explained what problems we may face in future, including the water crisis,” Mr Khasim said.
He said the association was explaining to all plot owners about the necessity of water conservation. “We have installed boards. We are encouraging all members to construct more water harvesting pits,” he said.
While several parks nearby have gone dry, the 3.75-acre colony park continues to be full of greenery. The colony association built 10 water harvesting pits in the park. The borewell which supplies water to the park has never dried in 24 years.
