Revanth to Lay Foundation Stone for Rs 7,360-Crore Godavari Project to Quench City’s Thirst

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will on Monday lay the foundation stone for the Godavari Drinking Water Phases II and III. This Rs 7,360-crore project, slated for completion by 2027, in an attempt to address the growing drinking water demands of Hyderabad and to assist the Musi rejuvenation project.

Approximately 20 tmc ft (thousand million cubic feet) of water, from the Godavari will be lifted from the Mallannasagar in Siddipet district and will be channelled to the twin reservoirs of Osmansagar and Himayatsagar. Phase 1 of the project is already supplying 10 tmc ft.

The planned water allocation includes 2.5 tmc ft for reviving the Musi and remaining 17.5 tmc ft for drinking water requirements. Wapcos has prepared the detailed project report.

The government has committed to executing this project under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), wherein the government will fund 40 per cent of the cost, while the remaining 60 per cent will be borne by the appointed contract companies.

The government would pay back 60 per cent of the amount to the contracted company in 15 years. This collaborative financial model aims to ensure completion within the two-year timeline.

The foundation stone-laying ceremony will also feature the unveiling of 15 newly constructed reservoirs out of the total 71 developed under the Outer Ring Road Phase II water supply infrastructure project. With an investment of Rs 1,200 crore, this network aims to provide water supply to multiple municipalities, municipal corporations, and gram panchayats under the ORR limits.

The comprehensive water supply under the Godavari scheme will benefit approximately 25 lakh residents residing in 14 mandals, including Saroornagar, Maheshwaram, Shamshabad, Hayatnagar, Ibrahimpatnam, Ghatkesar, Keesara, Rajendranagar, Shamirpet, Medchal, Qutubullapur, RC Puram, Patancheru, and Bollaram.

In addition to the water scheme, Revanth Reddy is set to lay the foundation stone for a separate Rs 298 crore infrastructure project focused on enhancing drainage facilities. This initiative is designed to benefit nearly 13 lakh inhabitants in Kokapet, Neopolis, and the SEZ areas, ensuring better sanitation and urban living conditions in these key economic growth hubs.

Water for the city

* Godavari allocation for Hyderabad drinking water is 30 tmc ft (10 tmc ft Phase-I used, 20 tmc ft planned for phases II and III).

* Krishna supplies through three phases, totalling around 27.5 tmc ft (11 tmc ft from phases I and II, approx. 16.5 tmc ft from phase III).

* The Godavari Phase II and III projects focus on enhancing water supply and rejuvenating reservoirs, including Osmansagar and Himayatsagar.

* The Krishna Fourth Pipeline is planned to boost long-term supply.

** Water supply values are often described both in tmc ft (thousand million cubic feet) and MGD (million gallons per day).

** 1 tmc ft roughly equals 724 million gallons.

Thirsty Hyderabad

*Hyderabad drinking water needs estimated to increase to 835 MGD by 2027 and 1,114 MGD by 2047.

*580-600 MGD water is being supplied in the city from all sources.

*Godavari Phases II and III to meet drinking water till 2030.

*Under these, government will draw another 20 tmc ft of water from Mallannasagar, 17.5 tmc ft for drinking water needs and 2.5 tmc ft for the Musi project.

*Water treatment plant of 1,170 MLD capacity will come up at Ghanpur near Shamirpet.

*3,000-mm diameter pipeline would be laid from Mallannasagar to Ghanpur. Pump houses and sub-stations would be constructed en route.