KCR assures Rs 100 Cr for drinking water in city

Hyderabad, Jan 5 (INN): Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has assured that the State Government would release Rs 100 crore on immediate basis to augment the drinking water supply in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

The Chief Minister gave this assurance during a review meeting on the function of Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) held at the State Secretariat on Monday. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Dr Rajiv Sharma, CMO Secretary S Narsing Rao, Hyderabad Metro HMWSSB MD Jagadishwar and other senior officials.

During the meeting, it was disclosed that as against the requirement of 35 TMC, Hyderabad is getting a supply of nearly 20 TMC of drinking water. It includes 11 TMC from Krishna, 7 TMC from Singur and 2 TMC from Osmansagar and Himayatsagar.

Therefore, there is a need to take immediate steps to augment the water supply. While the population of Hyderabad has crossed one crore, nearly 10 lakh people frequent the city on almost daily basis. The city is registering a growth of 10 lakh per annum. The projects like ITIR and other industries too would increase the demand for water supply.

Therefore, the Chief Minister directed the officials to make comprehensive plans to meet the demand for water supply in view of increasing number of industries, hotels, hospitals and other existing institutions like railways, educational institutions, airports, etc.,

The Chief Minister directed the officials to expedite the supply of Godavari waters through Ellampalli. Similarly, the HMWSSB has been asked to work out a plan to bring Krishna water through Srisailam.

He proposed laying of pipelines along side Outer Ring Road so as to facilitate supply of drinking water to the city from anywhere in the State. Further, he said those pipelines would address the water needs in areas around ORR.

KCR also advised HMWSSB and GHMC to hold a joint meeting to work out measures to tap rain water harvesting to meet drinking water needs of the city. Besides announcing release of Rs 100 crore to HMWSSB, the Chief Minister asked the board to focus on collection of dues from different institutions including government departments.

Stating that a comprehensive plan is being worked out to supply drinking water to all nine districts in the State through Telangana State Water Grid, he asked the officials to ensure that the State capital does not face any scarcity of drinking water.