Hyderabad: In a decisive step toward ensuring sustainable water management, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed the Hyderabad Water Board to develop a comprehensive plan to meet the drinking water needs of Greater Hyderabad for the next 25 years. Acknowledging the city’s rapid expansion, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of forward-thinking strategies to cater to the growing population, projecting needs up to 2050.
The meeting, held at the Integrated Command Control Center on Friday, marked a milestone as the first Water Board assembly since Telangana’s formation. Presided over by CM Reddy in his capacity as Chairman, the session included key officials such as Advisor Vem Narender Reddy, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, and Water Board MD Ashok Reddy.
The Water Board currently provides drinking water through 13.79 lakh tap connections across a vast 9,800 km distribution network. Water is sourced from rivers Manjira, Singoor, Godavari, and Krishna. To bolster supply, the Board is progressing on the Godavari Phase 2 project, which aims to channel water to Hyderabad, including Usman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs.
After a detailed evaluation, the CM approved an ambitious proposal to increase water intake from Mallanna Sagar to 20 TMC, up from the originally planned 15 TMC. This adjustment will address the city’s future drinking water demands. The project will prioritize cost-efficiency and water availability, based on consultancy reports.
The Chief Minister underscored the need for an integrated approach, urging simultaneous development of a sewage management plan alongside water supply initiatives. He directed officials to collaborate with consultancies and agencies for detailed studies.
Recognizing aging infrastructure as a bottleneck, officials highlighted the outdated pipelines supplying water from the Manjira River since 1965. CM Reddy ordered the construction of a modern alternative line to prevent disruptions, proposing that funds for this could be secured under the Union Government’s Jal Jeevan Mission.
Addressing financial challenges, Water Board MD Ashok Reddy presented an income-expenditure report, revealing a revenue deficit of ₹8,800 crore. The Board faces dues of ₹5,500 crore in electricity bills and ₹1,847 crore in loans, while ₹4,300 crore remains unpaid by various government departments and offices.
The Chief Minister expressed concern over the financial situation and instructed the Board to devise a robust action plan in collaboration with the Finance Department. He suggested exploring ways to increase revenue, including better collection of pending water bills and securing loans at lower interest rates for new projects.
Highlighting the government’s commitment, CM Reddy noted that the city currently receives 20,000 liters of water free of charge per household. However, he urged officials to ensure financial sustainability while continuing to prioritize residents’ needs.
This forward-looking initiative underscores the Telangana government’s dedication to creating a resilient and efficient water infrastructure, paving the way for a secure and sustainable future for Greater Hyderabad.
