Around 74 families in the basti have been grappling with erratic or no water supply for over two and a half years
Hyderabad: Residents of Azamabad Basti staged a protest on Monday afternoon outside the Narayanaguda office of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), demanding immediate resolution to a long-standing water crisis. Around 74 families in the basti have been grappling with erratic or no water supply for over two and a half years.
“It’s been almost three years of struggle,” said G. Radhika, an ASHA worker from the area. “For a few months, we received water irregularly, but it stopped again. Now they occasionally send tankers, but how are we supposed to survive like this every day?”
She added that despite filing several complaints over the past three months, water is released only for 30 to 40 minutes, with very low pressure. “Sometimes we get nothing for days. And when they send tankers, they are only half-filled — how can that be enough for all of us?”
Another resident, Swaroopa Rani, highlighted the disparity in water supply. “The apartments next to us get water daily. Why are we being ignored? We are low-income families and can’t afford to buy water every day. We need a proper solution,” she questioned. A domestic worker said she carries bags of dirty clothes to her employers’ homes to wash them, as there is no water at home.
M. Venkatesh, secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Hyderabad, who joined the protest in solidarity, said the issue has persisted for years. “We took this matter to the Musheerabad general manager of HMWS&SB 20 days ago. He promised action within two or three days, but nothing has changed so far.”
Responding to the protest, C.S. Shiva Sai, manager, HMWS&SB, Azamabad section, said, “We are addressing the issue. A disruption during recent roadwork affected the supply line to the colony. Our team is fixing it and work will be completed in four days.”
The residents urged the authorities to resolve the issue without further delay and restore regular water supply to the basti.
