Hyderabad Water Board Intensifies Efforts to Bolster City's Water Infrastructure

Hyderabad's water authority is ramping up its initiatives to enhance the city's water delivery systems and ensure reliable drinking water access for all residents.

A comprehensive review session took place at the HMWSSB office in Khairatabad on Tuesday, with State Transport, BC Welfare and Hyderabad district in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar presiding over the proceedings. The gathering included Minority Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin, HMWSSB Managing Director Ashok Reddy, Director Sudarshan, Joint Managing Director Mayank Mittal, and representatives from various government departments.

During the meeting, participants examined multiple facets of the water supply system, including the distribution of drinking water, emergency tanker operations, readiness for the upcoming monsoon, and the functioning of sewage treatment facilities. The agenda also encompassed a review of ongoing construction projects and strategies for water conservation.

Presentations delivered by senior officials covered existing water supply infrastructure, river conservation initiatives, and anticipated infrastructure requirements for the future.

Speaking to journalists following the meeting, Ponnam Prabhakar outlined the current situation and future plans. He noted that Hyderabad presently receives 650 MGD of drinking water. The government is investing Rs 7,000 crore in the Godavari Phase-II and Phase-III initiatives, designed to address the city's anticipated water needs in the coming years.

The minister also indicated that the administration intends to launch Krishna Phase-IV and Phase-V projects in subsequent years, alongside the implementation of the Singur water pipeline project.

According to Ponnam Prabhakar, the city currently maintains 14.50 lakh tap connections, of which 6.23 lakh are provided as free connections to eligible households. The Water Board is actively addressing complaints regarding water supply issues. Additionally, the city has approximately 6.14 lakh manholes that are undergoing desilting and cleaning operations in preparation for the monsoon period.

The minister emphasized that the government is adopting preventive strategies to mitigate waterlogging and drainage complications during heavy rainfall. He highlighted that roughly 95 percent of tanker requests are being fulfilled within a 24-hour window during the summer months.

Ponnam Prabhakar appealed to residents to install rainwater harvesting systems to boost groundwater replenishment. He cautioned that households that persistently rely on tanker supplies while neglecting rainwater harvesting initiatives may incur a doubled tanker charge in the future.

The government has committed Rs 11,900 crore toward Water Board expansion and infrastructure development. The minister announced that the department would soon recruit personnel for open positions within its workforce.

Additionally, Ponnam Prabhakar warned that the authorities would proceed with demolishing unauthorized structures constructed over drainage infrastructure. He stated that before approving construction permits for new tall residential or commercial structures, officials would evaluate whether existing water supply and infrastructure systems possess sufficient capacity to serve these developments.